Opinion: Nottingham Forest man could have uncertain future as Martin O’Neill eyes replacement

Nottingham Forest have been linked with a number of goalkeepers which could be bad news for Costel Pantilimon. The 32-year-old joined from Watford last summer and was a regular in his debut season at the City Ground. However, O’Neill experimented with his goalkeepers in the final few weeks of 2018/19 and has been linked with two shot-stoppers since the season ended.

Bournemouth’s Asmir Begovic and Dundee United’s Benjamin Siegrist are two players on Forest’s radar, but the decision to bring in a new goalkeeper raises questions about the squad. Is Pantilimon deemed expendable by O’Neill? Or could Luke Steele and Jordan Smith have uncertain futures at the club?

One position Forest didn’t seem to need was a goalkeeper, but recent reports suggest otherwise. Smith has been on the periphery at the City Ground and could be moved on this summer, either on loan or permanently. Steele has also been a backup in the East Midlands and may be deemed expendable.

Begovic wouldn’t be a second-choice signing, however, so his potential arrival would likely be for the proverbial No.1 jersey. O’Neill dropped Pantilimon for two of Forest’s last six Championship outings, saying to Nottinghamshire Live that he wanted to assess his options for next season. Time will tell if a shakeup in the squad occurs.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article