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Nottingham Forest’s negotiations to sign Costel Pantilimon are dragging on – but the club remain hopeful of agreeing a deal to bring the keeper back to the City Ground.

Watford are willing to allow the Romanian international to move to the City Ground on a permanent basis, following his successful loan spell at the City Ground last season and it is understood the two clubs have reached an agreement over a move.

It is also understood that there was initially a significant gap between the wages being asked for by Pantilimon’s advisors and what the Reds want to pay.

But Forest remain hopeful that the gap can be closed and an agreement can be reached to secure the signing of the 31-year-old on a permanent basis.

Forest are in ambitious mood this summer, with the club smashing their record transfer fee to land Joao Carvalho from Benfica in a move worth 15m euro, while also landing his club and Portugal under-21 teammate, Diogo Goncalves, on loan, with a view to a permanent move next summer.

They have already signed Michael Dawson from Hull City and had been close to signing another vastly experienced defender, in Alan Hutton, before he completed an about turn and signed a new deal with Aston Villa.

Forest are wary of increasing their wage bill too significantly, in order to land Pantilimon, who has also played for ACS Poli, Manchester City, Sunderland and Deportivo.

They have not yet given up hope of successfully negotiating a deal with Pantilimon’s representatives, but with Aitor Karanka keen to get a first choice keeper in place as early as possible – and certainly before Forest head off for their pre-season training camp on July 10 – there is a growing sense of urgency, when it comes to addressing the situation.

And they do have some significant remaining hurdles to overcome before the return of the popular keeper is confirmed.

Stephanos Kapino did not impress sufficiently in the second half of last season to stake his claim for the number one shirt and is likely to be moved on this summer, only a few months after signing an 18-month deal when signing from Olympiacos in January.

Forest are also working hard to find a new club for Stephen Henderson and, while Jordan Smith is regarded as being a young player with potential, the Reds want a more experienced number one to bolster what they hope will be a push for the top six next season.