No. 1 United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner could finally get his wish of starting in the Premier League as he nears a transfer to Nottingham Forest.
Turner, 29, made just seven appearances for Arsenal last season after around a $6 million transfer to the Gunners from the New England Revolution last summer.
None of those seven appearances were in the Premier League.
Matt Turner Nottingham Forest transfer rumors
Enter Nottingham Forest. Forest made their grand return to the Premier League last season after a 23 year wait and managed to avoid relegation finishing 16th.
Last season Nottingham Forest had two goalkeepers getting the minutes. Dean Henderson featured for the first half of the season until Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas joined during the winter transfer window.
Both goalkeepers were on loan at Forest and have gone back to their respective clubs (Henderson back to Manchester United and Navas to PSG). This leaves Forest with no starting goalkeeper.
Their primary target is Turner on a permanent transfer.
EXCL: Nottingham Forest are closing in on Matt Turner deal with Arsenal, here we go soon #NFFC
Verbal agreement in place, personal terms also agreed — clubs finalising the details and then it will be sealed.⚪️ Arsenal now closer to David Raya, could be done in 24/48h. pic.twitter.com/qGvnQpiuWY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2023
Nottingham Forest are progressing well in a deal to sign goalkeeper Matt Turner from Arsenal.
Arsenal will then look to bring in David Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale. Brentford have told Raya he can move on loan to Bayern Munich if he signs a new deal with the Bees,… pic.twitter.com/Fm9ZqJSG2T— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 5, 2023
The goalkeepers still on the roster at Forest are 36-year-old Wayne Hennessey and fellow USMNT goalkeeper Ethan Horvath who had a successful loan at Luton Town last season. Luton decided not to keep Horvath for the 2023-24 Premier League season following the promotion.
This move for Turner should excite USMNT fans. Finally, an American goalkeeper could start for a Premier League squad. For too long we’ve watched Turner, Zack Steffen, Horvath and Gaga Slonina be signed to EPL teams but rarely if ever make an appearance in the league.
If Turner does make the move to Forest, he better get those gloves ready. Forest conceded 68 goals in the 2022-23 campaign which was tied for fourth worst in the league. No pressure Turner.
Prior to joining Arsenal in the 2022 summer transfer window, Turner made 111 appearances for the New England Revolution.
Time for a new chapter in the Turner goalkeeping story.
