Sky Bet Championship promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest are close to completing the permanent signing of Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, according to a report by football.london.

The big Romanian stopper spent the second half of last season on loan with the Reds, playing 13 times and keeping four clean sheets as he helped Aitor Karanka’s men towards Championship survival.

Forest have been actively pursuing a goalkeeper this summer and Karanka has previously made no secret of his desire to bring Pantilimon to the City Ground on a permanent basis, with it now seemingly apparent that he is set to get his man.

It is understood that the main obstacle to a deal being completed was a significant gap between the wages that the custodian’s advisors wanted for their client and what Forest wanted to pay, although it looks as though a compromise has now been struck.

The 31-year-old’s arrival shows yet another sign of Forest’s ambition and further enhances their chances during 2018/19.

With Greek goalkeeper Stefano Kapino likely to depart the City Ground this summer it looks likely that academy graduate Jordan Smith will provide the cover for the 6ft 8in stopper during next season.

It had been thought that Aston Villa had expressed an interest in signing Pantilimon this summer, although this latest news suggests strongly that Forest have now won the race to sign the commanding stopper.

The Verdict

Costel Pantilimon was extremely impressive between the posts during the second half of the 2017/18 campaign and this signing represents a real coup for Nottingham Forest.

The Reds have got themselves a stopper who boasts vast experience and his arrival at the Championship side ensures that Forest have one of the very best goalkeepers in the whole division.

Nottingham Forest fans, what do you make to this news? Are you happy with the signing of the big Romanian? Let us know in the comments below!!!