Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for Arijanet Muric, but their hopes of landing his signature have taken a blow as Manchester City have stipulations surrounding a potential loan move for their No.2 shot-stopper.
The Sun say Muric is only allowed to join a side that will guarantee him first-team football and will issue penalties if a club falls foul of the agreement. With Martin O’Neill having Costel Pantilimon, Luke Steele and Jordan Smith to choose from, Muric can’t be guaranteed the No.1 jersey in 2019/20.
Forest also have to compete with Preston North End for the 20-year-old’s signature. Preston may have a better relationship with City as they loaned Brandon Barker & Luke Nmecha last season and handed the duo a combined 64 appearances (3247 minutes).
Muric may have more chance of playing at Preston, as Chris Maxwell has been linked with Hibernian, Connor Ripley spent half of the season out on loan and barely made the matchday squad while Mathew Hudson and Callum Roberts didn’t feature in the 18 at all last season.
It would be a big call for O’Neill to back a 20-year-old over the experience of Pantilimon when his remit as manager is a top-six finish. Time will tell if Forest land Muric’s signature.