Matz Sels: Stats show Nottingham Forest could be ready to cash in as Club Brugge plot deal

Matz Sels could potentially find himself heading out of Nottingham Forest this summer amid interest from Club Brugge.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper has emerged as part of a two-man shortlist for the Belgian giants to replace the retiring Simon Mignolet this summer, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

Their recruitment team are now searching for a similar profile to the outgoing star, and Sels has been identified alongside Al-Qadsiah’s Koen Casteels as a top target.

The finances surrounding the latter’s wages in the Middle East are expected to be a problem for Brugge, which could see them place more of their focus on striking a deal for Sels.

Nottingham Forest’s transfer plans are set to involve them trying to strengthen their squad rather than weaken it, but it may actually be in their interests to sanction a sale of their number one.

Stefan Ortega a capable alternative amid Matz Sels contract fear

Sels has been a hugely reliable figure at the City Ground since the Reds were promoted back to the Premier League.

His January 2024 arrival from Strasbourg has proved to be one of their better pieces of transfer business since their return from the Championship, as he has saved them on countless occasions in recent seasons.

However, his time in the East Midlands may be nearing its final hour, as he is set to enter the last year of his contract in the summer.

At 34, Vitor Pereira and Co. will surely have their eyes on a younger option to be the club’s long-term number one, and with that in mind, it may be unlikely that he is offered a new deal.

As a result, it could be in the Reds’ interest to take their final chance to cash in on the veteran stopper before they potentially lose him for free, and his replacement may already be in the building.

Stefan Ortega has impressed since his January arrival from Manchester City, and he has been a close match to Sels statistically in his few Premier League appearances since coming to the club.

The German is currently only signed until the summer, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for Forest to put a fresh offer on the table and keep him around.

Ortega’s ability, combined with Sels’ contract situation, may see Forest in line to make a surprise sale in the summer, provided that Brugge are willing to make a concrete move.

Sels sale to form part of Nottingham Forest’s accounts reaction

Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Forest will need to start selling players for profit if they are to repair the damage highlighted by their latest accounts.

The Premier League strugglers released their accounts for the 2024-25 season, and the figures highlighted a loss of £71million.

Wyness suggested that they may have to begin placing a priority on making money from player trading to ensure that this doesn’t grow in the coming years, and the tough decision regarding Sels’ future could form part of that.

Forest only paid £5m to bring him in from Strasbourg, but his displays since then would surely see them net a sizeable profit if they opted to sell.

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