Nottingham Forest ‘tried to sign ex-Man United star David De Gea in January as part of their frenzied hunt for a goalkeeper’ before the £5.5m arrival of Matz Sels on deadline day

David De Gea was subject of a January transfer approach from Nottingham Forest, according to reports. 

The Spanish goalkeeper has been a free agent since the summer after Manchester United allowed the player to leave the club without extending his contract at Old Trafford into 2023-24. 

Last season he finished as the English top-flight’s best goalkeeper having kept the most clean sheets in the division, however the Red Devils elected not to retain his services. 

In his place was signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan for £43million, with the Cameroonian instantly taking up position as Erik ten Hag‘s No 1, despite a string of high-profile errors. 

De Gea, though, is still a free agent after failing to secure a move in the January window, however The Athletic reports that the player was subject of an approach from Forest. 

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were keen to add to their goalkeeping ranks throughout the window

De Gea’s departure paved the way for Andre Onana to become Man United’s new No 1 stopper 

Forest had been keen to add a goalkeeper to their ranks as the January window drew to a close despite signing two last summer. 

While boss Nuno Espirito Santo was initially not thought to be convinced of the necessity, by deadline day he was agreed that a new No 1 was needed, as per reports.  

As well as Wayne Hennessey, the Tricky Trees have ex-Arsenal stopper Matt Turner and former Benfica ‘keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos on the books, but were still hoping to bring in a new goalkeeper. 

Eventually they turned to Matz Sels, who joined for £5.5m from French side Strasbourg on transfer deadline day. 

De Gea, however, would have represented a statement signing for the Premier League outfit had it gone through, report The Athletic. 

Not only is De Gea one of the most…