It is looking "increasingly likely" that Nottingham Forest will complete their swoop for Caen goalkeeper Brice Samba before the transfer deadline, according to journalist Paul Taylor.

The Reds are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for the 25-year-old who played every league match last season, but he could not prevent Caen from suffering relegation to Ligue 2 last term.

Samba has two years left to run on his deal with the French side, but it now seems he is now on the verge of a move to the City Ground where he will face stiff competition for the number one spot.

Forest have already added Kosovo international Arijanet Muric on loan from Manchester City this summer, while last season's two goalkeepers Costel Pantilimon and Luke Steele are also still at the club.

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New Reds boss Sabri Lamouchi opted to start with Muric between the sticks during the club's opening day defeat against West Brom, which means Samba would likely need to muscle his way into the side if he wants a starting spot.

The verdict

This appears to be a strange move from Forest given the goalkeeping options they already have, but it must mean they are expecting departures before the deadline.

The Reds are currently short of strikers so you would think they would focus their recruitment efforts on signing attackers, but it seems they are keen to bolster the goalkeeping department instead.

It is difficult to judge how Samba will adapt to life in England, but he has clearly impressed at Caen to force his way into their starting line-up after starting out as a back-up option at the club.

I can't really see anyone other than Muric being first choice for Forest this term, so Samba would surely be used sparingly until next summer at least.