Forest close to £50m US sale

Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a £50m sale to an American consortium led by John Jay Moores, the former owner of Major League Baseball franchise San Diego Padres, according to reports.

Moores is said to be in “advanced talks” over a deal to buy Forest from beleagured owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi, who is looking to agree an 80-20 per cent split and remain as chairman – a move which will anger some Forest fans who are planning a protest during tonight’s game with Birmingham City.

Moores has long held an ambition to own an English club and held talks with Everton earlier this year but the move fell through.

Reports say that Al-Hasawi, who bought the club in July 2012, has been in negotiations with Moores for the past three months with the pair thrashing out a price of around £50m.

Members of Moores’s consortium are reported to have visited the City Ground and training facilities last week and official confirmation of a deal could be announced within the next few weeks.

Phillipe Montanier said he was aware of the fans unrest ahead of tonight’s game. He said: “There is always pressure in football when you do not win the games. It is part of my job. Not pressure from the chairman especially, but also from the fans and everybody else. There is also pressure we put on ourselves, as coaching staff and players.

“The pressure is always present. But it is a good thing. You want to improve and give your maximum in every game.”