DAVID DE GEA declined a transfer to Nottingham Forest in January, according to reports.

The goalkeeper has been without a club since being released by Manchester United last summer.

David de Gea declined a contract at Nottingham ForestCredit: Reuters

Nottingham Forest approached seven goalkeepers during the windowCredit: Rex

De Gea has been linked with a number of transfers since then, with reports last month linking him with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

However, it has now been revealed that the Spaniard turned down the chance to return to the Premier League.

According to The Athletic, Forest’s search for a new goalkeeper in January saw them try to persuade the player to head to the City Ground.

Not satisfied with options Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos, Forest made an approach for seven goalkeepers in the window.

In their approach for De Gea, Forest argued there was value in playing regular football between now and the end of the season.

But the 33-year-old declined the short-term offer.

Forest eventually settled on Matz Sels for an initial £5.1million transfer.

The report states that Sels learned of Forest’s interest on the morning of deadline day.

Elswhere, Forest signed Gio Reyna on loan and added teen ace Rodrigo Ribeiro to their squad on loan with an option to buy.

De Gea made 545 appearances for Man Utd during his 11 seasons at Old Trafford.

In that time he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, two League Cups and three Community Shield’s.

De Gea famously suffered a deadline day transfer collapse in 2015 when a fax machine scuppered a move to Real Madrid.

As a free agent, De Gea is free to join any club at any time.

Forest eventually signed Matz Sels on deadline dayCredit: Rex