Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Tue 7 April 2026 22:00, UK

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Stefan Ortega’s importance could be about to grow at Nottingham Forest as Vitor Pereira risks losing his first-choice goalkeeper.

The German was signed from Man City on a six-month deal during the winter transfer window, with Forest desperate for a new figure following a season-ending injury to John Victor in January.

Despite coming in as a two-time Premier League champion, the 33-year-old has only made six appearances across all competitions for the Reds, keeping two clean sheets in that time.

Evangelos Marinakis is heavily involved in transfers at the City Ground, and one of the owner’s first ports of call should be cementing the goalkeeper situation ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

New deal for Stefan Ortega is a no-brainer for Nottingham Forest

There is still absolutely no guarantee that Forest will survive the Premier League relegation battle this season, but either way, they need to find a goalkeeper who can feature heavily next season.

Reports would suggest that Pereira is about to lose Matz Sels amid strong interest from Club Brugge ahead of the summer, and rumours are only getting stronger as games run out.

Ortega undoubtedly has the experience and ability to lead Forest into the next season, with multiple years still ahead of him despite his age.

Signing the veteran up to a new deal would also provide the club with more time to find a long-term replacement for Selz, who appears certain to leave the City Ground this summer.

Veteran goalkeeper’s contract situation examined ahead of expired deal

It is well-known that Ortega has just weeks left on his current deal, but with no decision reached yet, at least not publicly, there is still time for the club to work something out.

If reports are to be believed, the goalkeeper is only on £45,000-a-week, certainly not putting him in the highest bracket at the City Ground, so it wouldn’t cost Marinakis too much more to keep him around.

Despite only making 56 appearances for Pep Guardiola during his three-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium, he remained focused and pounced into action whenever called upon.

Man City fans will love him forever after making a season-defining save against Son Heung-min during the 2023-24 campaign, and he could change Forest’s fortunes next term as well.