According to the Nottingham Post, Nottingham Forest are ramping up their interest in Manchester City goalkeeper Aro Muric.
Forest boss Martin O’Neill and goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh went to watch Muric play for Kosovo against Bulgaria on Monday.
The giant goalkeeper played his part in a 3-2 win, and did enough to make him a top Forest target. City boss Pep Guardiola will loan Muric out this summer, and Forest are now in the mix.
Forest do already have three goalkeepers though. Costel Pantilimon, Jordan Smith and Luke Steele are all at the City Ground, and Preston will be hoping that works in our favour.
We reported last month that North End are keen to take Muric on loan. Chris Maxwell will go this summer, whilst there’s a chance Declan Rudd could be moved on, with Muric coming in.
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The 6ft 6in goalkeeper needs first-team experience, and North End have good ties with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola allowed Lukas Nmecha and Brandon Barker to join last summer, and Preston have been hoping for a similar decision with Muric.
Now, with Forest in the mix, Preston may miss out on his signature. It will ultimately come down to who can give Muric the most football, preparing him for first-team football with City in the future.
North End may just edge Forest in that regard, and will also hope that proximity to Manchester will aid them. Still, having been tracking Muric for a few weeks with no deal done, the new of Forest entering the race is far from ideal.