--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-15T15:05:35.543Z last_updated: 2026-06-15T11:32:31+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/nottingham-forest/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubm90dGluZ2hhbXBvc3QuY29tL3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL3RyYW5zZmVyLW5ld3Mvbm90dGluZ2hhbS1mb3Jlc3QtdHJhbnNmZXJzLXN1bW1lci1nb2Fsa2VlcGVyLTExMDE0NDQ4 --- # Nottingham Forest audit: Goalkeeper department, John decision, favourite option - **Source:** - **Published:** 15 Jun - **Club:** Nottingham Forest - **Original URL:** https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/nottingham-forest-transfers-summer-goalkeeper-11014448 A quick return to European football is the dream, on the back of the Reds’ memorable run to the Europa League semi-finals in the season just gone. Paramount in their thoughts, though, will be avoiding being dragged into another relegation battle after finishing five points clear of the drop zone in 2025/26. Nevertheless, one key area in need of assessing is between the posts. The Nottingham Post takes a look at how things stand in the goalkeeping department at the City Ground. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Get all the Nottingham Forest latest via our Facebook page Last week, the club announced the departure of two senior goalkeepers with the publication of their retained list. Stefan Ortega and Angus Gunn will leave as free agents when their contracts officially expire at the end of the month. Gunn played just once for the Reds, coming on for the second half of a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in February. Earlier in the season he stated he felt the goalposts had been moved in regards to how much game time he might get and he recently suggested he “pushed hard” to leave midway through the campaign. Ortega, meanwhile, made 10 appearances and did well as he established himself as first-choice for Forest in Europe. However, shortly after he signed his short-term contract with the club the German admitted he “would have liked to” return to his homeland. Two down, then, and two left. Matz Sels and John Victor are the current senior options on the books. Sels is No.1, although John did have a spell in the team under Sean Dyche. A gaffe and a season-ending injury against Aston Villa in January brought an end to that run. The Brazilian hadn’t exactly convinced in previous outings either. There has been talk of some interest in John back in his Brazilian homeland. Cruzeiro have been linked with the 30-year-old barely 12 months since his arrival Trentside. A few whispers have also emerged regarding Sels, although there doesn’t appear to be any suggestion of concrete interest. Belgian publication Voetbal Nieuws claim Sels “would like to play closer to home again” and suggest he would be a good option for Club Brugge. The Belgian has 12 months remaining on his current deal so a decision about where he stands will need to be made at some point in the not too distant future. But Forest would surely not want to lose him now, especially as he found form toward the end of the season. Whether the club would consider allowing John to leave may depend on how much restructuring they are prepared to do in this department. There is a call to be made over whether he offers adequate back-up. For now, the Brazilian is the sole competition for Sels; the Reds will need to make sure they are sufficiently strong in this position. When it comes to looking at potential goalkeeping additions, there is a decision to be made about which path to take. Should Forest focus on the short, medium or long term? Do they look for experience? After all, having Ortega breathing down his neck must have helped push Sels on during the final weeks of the season. Alternatively, should the club target a younger recruit as a long-term successor to Sels? Signing young players with the potential to improve has been a feature of recent windows, so a case could be made for going down this route. It has been fairly quiet in terms of the transfer rumour mill where possible Forest goalkeeper targets are concerned. Very tentative links with Rangers’ Jack Butland emerged not so long ago, with suggestions he would cost less than £1 million. On our Forest Facebook page, the Nottingham Post asked Reds fans who they would like to see come in, if the club target a new goalkeeper. Below are a few of the comments… Ben Jackson: Brice samba! Come home Ralph Newton: Go all out to get James Trafford Dale Stennett: Bring back Samba he will give Sels a run for 1st choice Leo Musson: Go in for Rushworth, probably £20-£25 million will get him, good backup for this season then a solid 1st teamer next Alfie Hale: Nick Pope considering they already have Ramsdale and are closing in on a another keeper Tony Justo: Ramsdale if he is available Rhys Blore: Trafford. He wants time. Give him it Tan Chi Wei: We need to think about Sels's replacement. He is 35. Bring in a second choice (in front of John Victor) to play in cup games. In 27/28, Sels become second choice while this new keeper becomes first. 28/29, Sels retire. Adewale Oshinjirin: We ain't playing in Europe next season and we have Sels and Victor. If we are still in need of another keeper, let's sign one from our youth team. I will rather we spend money on a striker or left winger than on a third choice keeper. Mick Marriott: Trafford is the best available Rodney Wills: Bring back Ortega Kelly Eaton: Sa from Wolves There was a lot of love for promotion hero Brice Samba. The Frenchman is well-established at Rennes now so that one seems like wishful thinking. Manchester City’s James Trafford would certainly be a good option. The 23-year-old has many years left ahead of him, although pursuing the England international would likely involve needing to fend off interest from Newcastle United.