Detour for Henderson to seal his switch to Forest?
KEEPER MAY BE ‘RE-ROUTED’ AS UNITED REPORT BACK
ANOTHER signing announcement might not be too far away for Nottingham Forest as they prepare for their Premier League return.
The Reds made forward Taiwo Awoniyi their first addition of the transfer window at the weekend. A club record fee was shelled out for the forward as he penned a five-year deal from Union Berlin.
There will be further incomings, as well as outgoings, in the coming weeks as boss Steve Cooper shapes his squad for the top-flight. And that is expected to include changes in the goalkeeping department.
Manchester United shot-stopper Dean Henderson is set to follow Awoniyi in putting pen to paper at the City Ground. According to the Manchester Evening News, he could be “re-routed” straight to Forest once he returns from his honeymoon.
Brice Samba was first-choice between the posts last season as a 23-year exile from the top-flight was ended with promotion at Wembley. But with 12 months left to run on his contract, he has rejected fresh terms and now looks likely to leave this summer.
Henderson is expected to come in as a replacement, on a season-long loan. The MEN report the move has been “provisionally agreed” and the 25-year-old “has to undergo a medical once he returns from his honeymoon”.
New United manager Erik ten Hag arrived for his team’s first day of preseason training yesterday, with the club’s non-internationals due to report at Carrington. The MEN say Henderson “could be rerouted” to Forest as he prepares to complete his move.
The Reds also have Ethan Horvath and Jordan Smith on the books. However, the former recently said there is “uncertainty” over his future on the banks of the Trent.
NOTTINGHAM Forest should make a move for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, according to Stan Collymore.
Head coach Steve Cooper faces a crucial summer as the Reds prepare for their return to the Premier League.
The arrival of Taiwo Awoniyi at the weekend marked the start of what will be a busy few months for the Reds, before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1.
A club record fee secured the signature of Awoniyi, on a five-year deal from Union Berlin. The 24-yearold’s move comes on the back of a season which saw him bag 20 goals in 43 appearances in Germany.
Further attacking reinforcements are likely to be on the cards, however, as Forest aim to hold their own in the top flight.
And while Collymore is tipping Awoniyi to make an impact at his former club, he believes Martial could also fit the bill at the City Ground, urging the Reds to put in “a cheeky cheap loan offer”.
Writing in his column for the Sunday People, the ex-forest ace said: “If my former club can add in a cheeky cheap loan offer to Manchester United for Anthony Martial, then all of a sudden, along with Brennan Johnson, Forest have a fine blend of experience, youth and ambition.”
Martial spent the second half of last term on loan at Sevilla, where he scored one goal in 12 appearances. He has two years left to run on his contract but faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
However, Forest are expected to sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson on a season-long loan from United.
Premier League rules state: “Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time; the maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time; Premier League clubs cannot loan to another Premier League club a player they have acquired in the same transfer window; a Premier League club may loan not more than one of its goalkeepers to another Premier League club.
“With the exception of Welsh clubs competing in the competitions, loans from a club in membership of another National Association do not count towards the above quotas.”
NOTTINGHAM Forest have confirmed their pre-season plans as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
Steve Cooper’s side secured their return to the top-flight after a 23-year absence with victory over Hudders
field Town at Wembley last month. And their new campaign will begin with a trip to Newcastle United on August 6.
Before then, the Reds will head to Alicante, in Spain, for a pre-season training camp. They will round off their trip with a fixture against Coventry City at the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar on Friday, July 8.
Back in the UK, Cooper’s men will take on Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Tuesday, July 12, before travelling to face Barnsley on Saturday, July 16.
The club say: “With infrastructure works at the City Ground well underway in preparation for the opening home Premier League game on Saturday 13 August, Forest will play Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin at Burton’s Pirelli Stadium on Wednesday 20 July. Three days later, The Reds visit the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei to face Union Berlin, the former club of record signing Taiwo Awoniyi, on Saturday 23 July.
“Forest’s final week of pre-season fixtures will be released in the coming days. Ticket information for these initial fixtures will be released shortly.”