Brice Samba emerges as a target for French side Nantes as play-off semi-final hero ‘refuses to sign a new contract’ at Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest
- Brice Samba played a key role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion last season
- Reports however suggest the Congolese goalkeeper is refusing to sign new deal
- The 28-year-old is about to enter the final 12 months of his deal at City Ground
- Forest are eyeing Hamza Choudhury as well as Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Nottingham Forest keeper Brice Samba is a target for French side Nantes this summer.
The Congolese goalkeeper was instrumental as Steve Cooper’s side were promoted to the Premier League last month, including three saves in the play-off semi-final penalty shoot-out against Sheffield United.
But reports in The Athletic last week claimed the 28-year-old is refusing to sign fresh terms at the City Ground and wants to leave this summer because he feels undervalued and underappreciated.
Nottingham Forest keeper Brice Samba is a target for French side Nantes this summer
The Congo-born goalkeeper was instrumental as Forest were promoted to the Premier League
His stance has handed Forest a decision to make in the next few months as to whether they should keep or sell him, with Samba about to enter the final 12 months of his current deal.
Samba has made 133 appearances for Forest since signing a four-year deal when he moved from French side Cannes in 2019.
Of those appearances, 45 came across all competitions last season, but he felt the new deal offered by the top-flight newcomers was unacceptable and is said to be disappointed he was not offered it sooner.
However, manager Cooper reportedly has an ‘excellent’ relationship with the ‘keeper and the club are said to be firmly committed to keeping him one way or another.
Forest are keen on Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury and Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Forest, meanwhile, are keen on Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury as well as Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Forest had hoped to keep Djed Spence but Tottenham are clsoing in on a deal for him. The East Midlands side are therefore exploring other options and have asked about Manchester City’s Issa Kabore plus Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles who has a year left on contract.
Kabore, a Burkina Faso international, was sent on loan to City’s Ligue 1 sister club Troyes last season, while five-cap England full-back Maitland Niles spent the second half of the campaign at Roma.
