Two England stars snub Nottingham Forest transfer over points deduction fears with huge pay cut in store if relegated

JACK BUTLAND and Sam Johnstone turned down interest from Nottingham Forest over fears of a potential Premier League points deduction.

Forest have been desperate for a new No1 in the transfer window and targeted in-form Rangers keeper Butland and Crystal Palace’s Johnstone.

Jack Butland has excelled at Rangers this seasonRex

Rex

Sam Johnstone is set to stay at Palace[/caption]

Rangers did not welcome a move for their former England keeper, who has just signed a new four-year deal.

And Forest kept trying for Johnstone, who has four England caps, despite Palace turning down a loan bid earlier in the window.

Yet it is understood both players had concerns over Forest’s precarious situation as they could be docked ten points this season.

This is because they were charged for breaches of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rule.

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And this would mean that if Forest do suffer relegation, the club’s players will all face cuts in their wages of up to 50 per cent due to relegation causes.

Forest’s main keeper is Matt Turner but new boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been concerned about his form.

Nuno’s men were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka put the Gunners two up, before Taiwo Awoniyi grabbed a late consolation.

Following Turner’s latest gaffe, the Forest boss told TNT Sports: “They are not individual errors, they are team errors.

“It is always about us when we make mistakes. We are responsible for those mistakes. They are things we should avoid.

“It was a throw-in, and we should have covered the inside and not allow them to go inside. We should have defended better.”

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Matt Turner has had a difficult season at Nottingham Forest[/caption]