Nottingham Forest 'tried to sign ex-Man United star David De Gea in January'

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.

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 highly-reputable goalkeepers in the game, but he would bring a wealth of experience and know-how from a long career at the top.

Lest term Forest brought in Keylor Navas and Dean Henderson, both on loan, from Paris Saint-German and United respectively.

De Gea ultimately remains a free agent, joining former team-mate and Forest player Jesse Lingard.

Lingard was the subject of an approach from the Korean League, with FC Seoul confirming their interest in the former United star.

Lingard has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, and training stints with West Ham and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq were dead ends.

He is not bound by Thursday's January transfer deadline and the deal is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Lingard will arrive in South Korea on Monday for a medical and join the team's training camp in Kagoshima, Japan, with a 'substantial' pay packet on offer, according to the BBC.