The club sorely needs goalkeeping reinforcements. Since their return to the Premier League, Nottingham Forest has had their fair share of goalkeepers try to fill the vacuum left by fan favourite Brice Samba.
The Frenchman wanted to return to his hometown in the summer of 2022, so he signed with RC Lens for an undisclosed cost, went on to play in the Champions League, and was even called up to the national team for the next European Championship. Numerous shot-stoppers arrived at the City Ground in 2022/23, with Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas proving to be valuable, experienced additions, although the Reds were unable to capture either of the duo permanently following their separate loan deals.
Instead, the club signed Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos last summer for a combined £20 million, although both have struggled to establish themselves as first-choices, starting only 22 games between them last season.
In January, Nuno Espírito Santo brought in Matz Sels as his new number one. While the Belgian proved to be a fine signing, he is now 32 years old and may not be the best long-term solution. However, the club has recently been connected with a move for one player who would be an improvement over Sels while also filling the vacuum left by Samba nearly two years ago.
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Nottingham Forest make an approach for excellent goalkeeper.
According to a report from Brazilian site UOL over the weekend, Nottingham Forest have made an offer to capture Gil Vicente’s 22-year-old shot-stopper Andrew Ventura this summer.
The Brazilian is also targeted by Dutch side Feyenoord ahead of the transfer window, with Ventura’s current club willing to negotiate a deal for the former Botafoga goalkeeper.
He recorded nine clean sheets in 32 Liga Portugal appearances last season, placing him in the top 10 for saves per 90 minutes in the competition.
Whilst the report doesn’t mention any potential price tag for any move, the youngster is currently valued at €2.5m (£2.1m) as per Transfermarkt, with the Reds needing to conduct shrewd business this summer to avoid any further PSR breach.
Why Ventura would be an upgrade on Matz Sels
When comparing the Brazilian’s stats to the current Forest number one, it’s clear that he would be an upgrade – with Nuno desperately needing to take a closer look at Ventura’s abilities During the 2023/24 campaign, the Gil Vicente ‘keeper started three games less than Sels, but overall produced more eye-catching numbers and would hugely improve the current goalkeeping situation on Trentside.
Ventura, who has previously been described as “top-quality” journalist Zach Lowy, made 21 more saves than Sels, whilst also boasting an 11% better save percentage over the course of the season..
He also preserved a clean sheet in 28% of the games he started, more than doubling the Belgian’s 11%, which included only one goalless performance in a 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
While it’s clear that Samba has dominated the pair over the last year, Ventura is a close match for the Forest fan favorite who captured the hearts of most at the City Ground – memorably producing shoot-out heroics in the playoff semi-final against Sheffield United in 2022, saving three spot-kicks.
The Frenchman’s distribution was a genuine benefit, since the Reds have been without a ‘keeper who is comfortable on his feet since his departure. However, the Brazilian has demonstrated his brilliance in this department.
Making 814 passes, 66 fewer than Samba but 99 more than Sels. While Samba is due to leave Lens this summer, Forest are unlikely to pursue a stunning return for the 30-year-old, as the club sorely needs to focus on Ventura.
The former Botafogo goalkeeper is eight years younger than Samba, but he has the potential to become a world-class shot-stopper and future Brazil No. 1.
He would also be a cheaper alternative to other possibilities, assisting the club’s PSR battle while yet boasting enough quality to be an upgrade on current number one Sels.
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