Hands up who thought Brice Samba would leave Nottingham Forest this summer, a month on from saving three penalties in the play-off shootout against Sheffield United.
If there were any hands up, then how many would stay raised if they thought the goalkeeper would end up in an increasingly bitter row over his contract, with Samba going public with grievances over the reporting of his situation. Samba took to Twitter on Sunday night to quote tweet a report from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, which disputed a Daily Mail article saying Forest had offered to double Samba's wages as he enters the final year of his deal.
Aouna says Forest have failed to offer him an increased salary and his likely replacement, Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, is on three times as much money per week. Forest insist they have offered Samba a contract extension and want him to stay, although that position may well change now.
READ: Forest man 'stunned' as Reds go all out for Man Utd transfer
READ: Forest pushing for major Henderson breakthrough over Man Utd loan transfer
Reaction to Samba's post has been distinctly mixed, if anything the balance has been critical of him for going public. It is a great shame it has come to this. Samba deserves nothing but respect for his contribution to the club over three years, even if people will question his decision to air grievances.
There has been the odd negative of course, most notably his sending off against Stoke City last season, but that was vastly outweighed by the positives. Samba was a calmer figure on his return to the side and his performance against the Blades in the semi-final second leg was perhaps as good as anything from a Forest goalkeeper since Peter Shilton saved Mick Ferguson's header at Highfield Road in 1978.
Henderson would be an upgrade in goal, although Samba would probably disagree. He is an England international who was integral Sheffield United's top half finish during a loan spell in the 2019/20 season. Forest hope the 25-year-old will join on loan and are still working to include an option to buy clause in a deal to bring him to the City Ground. That deal looks likely to go through regardless of the clause as it stands.
If that happens then it is probably best Samba leaves. It is understood he is ready to return to France with Lens said to be his most likely destination.
If that happens then it should definitely be a case of bon voyage rather more vitriolic farewells from fans. It is hard to believe that a handshake between all parties and an agreement to let bygones be bygones might now be the best solution. Forest fans should forever be grateful to Samba. Without him, Sheffield United would have been in the play-off final against Huddersfield - and they probably would have won as well.
