Nottingham Forest transfer agreement 'struck' over £4.3m deal

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba is reportedly close to securing his move to Ligue 1 side RC Lens for a fee worth £4.3 million.

The Reds goalkeeper will put an end to his three-year stay at the City Ground and make a return to France. Samba made 131 appearances for Forest and was pivotal in Steve Cooper's side earning promotion to the Premier League last season.

French outlet L'Equipe have reported that the goalkeeper is due to arrive in Lens on Monday evening to complete the move worth around €5m (£4.3m). The finer details of the transfer are to be discussed by the two clubs before the deal is confirmed.

The Athletic have also reported that Samba told Forest of his intentions to leave the club, outlining that he would not sign an extension to his current contract. His deal is set to end next summer.

It has been suggested previously that the 28-year-old made his decision before a new deal was offered. The proposed deal was reportedly not what Samba thought reflected his importance to Cooper's side.

According to L'Equipe, Samba will sign a five-year deal at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis and provide competition to 36-year-old Jean-Louis Leca - who is entering his final year of his contract. Forest have already secured his replacement with the loan signing of Manchester United's Dean Henderson.