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Wed 8 April 2026 7:00, UK
Nottingham Forest will not extend the contract of goalkeeper Stefan Ortega when it expires at the end of the season, sources have told Football Insider.
The 33-year-old shot-stopper is keen to look for a new club, as it has already been mde clear that he has no chance of becoming the Reds’ number one gloveman next term.
The East Midlands outfit have already decided that Matz Sels will remain their starting option between the posts if they survive in the Premier League, and sources have indicated that Ortega wants regular football at this stage of his career.
Forest are in no position to provide that, especially when John Victor returns from his long-term injury, and there is set to be a parting of ways this summer.
Ortega only joined from Manchester City on a six-month deal back in January, but it has already become clear that he is not part of Forest’s transfer plans for next season.
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Nottingham Forest still showing faith in Matz Sels
Football Insider recently revealed that Forest won’t allow Sels to leave this summer, despite growing interest from Club Brugge.
The Belgian side are hunting a replacement for the outgoing Simon Mignolet for next term, and have added the Reds’ stopper to their shortlist.
SelsStatsOrtega24Apps36Clean Sheets168.4%Save Percentage66.7%2.96Saves per 902.67-0.83Goals Prevented1.011.37Goals Conceded per 901.33Ortega’s 2025-26 Premier League stats compared to Sels’, as per Fotmob.
However, any attempts to try and prise the 34-year-old away from the City Ground this summer are set to be met with resistance, with Forest extremely reluctant to lose their first-choice.
Vitor Pereira and Co. still view the veteran as one of the Premier League’s strongest ‘keepers, and they are not likely to be tempted into business at any price if the club survive relegation.
Sels’ importance on the banks of the River Trent has worked to Ortega’s detriment during his time with the club, as the Belgian immediately returned to the starting XI after recovering from injury.
Ortega perhaps would have hoped that he would be able to impress and earn himself a new, extended contract, but it has already become clear that will not be the case.
Reds eye move for Southampton FA Cup hero
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Tuesday that Forest are closely monitoring Shea Charles, with a view to making a move for the Southampton midfielder this summer.
The Northern Ireland international, who scored a late winner to knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup last weekend, is understood to be on the radar of several top clubs after an impressive season.
The Saints are pushing to sneak into the play-offs in the final stages of the Championship season, but if they fail to make the cut, then they are expected to struggle to keep their 22-year-old star.
Charles has flourished for the South Coast outfit in the second tier this season, and Brown expects that the high level of interest in him is likely to see Southampton charge a premium price for a sale.
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