WORST NIGHTMARE EVER;Chris Wood’s ended his contract with Nottingham Forest suddenly

Drawn-out negotiations over the New Zealand striker’s new deal look like coming to an end this month, meaning he won’t be leaving on a free transfer in the summer

Chris Wood’s long-awaited new Nottingham Forest contract looks to be nearing a signature after a breakthrough in negotiations.

The Mirror report that Wood will finally put pen to paper later this month, ending the possibility that he would be leaving on a free transfer when his current deal expires in the summer. That’s after a stumbling block was hurdled.

Wood, Forest’s top scorer this season with 12 goals, had wanted a new two-year deal at the City Ground. It now seems that an agreement has been reached on a 12-month contract, with an option for a further year.

The Kiwi’s age may be a factor in Forest’s reluctance to hand out a long contract, with Wood now 33. But he’s in the best form of his career. He netted 14 goals last season to match his best-ever scoring campaign in the Premier League, and needs just three more from 18 games this term to eclipse that number.

Wood’s goals have been integral to Forest’s rise to third and a potential challenge for a Champions League spot. No other player in the squad has scored more than four times.

His finishing has also attracted interest in him from overseas, notably from Saudi Arabia and MLS. But despite the drawn-out talks over a new Forest contract, Wood has not considered moving on this summer.

Wood has expressed his desire to play in the Premier League for as long as possible. He intends to keep playing until he’s at least 38, and so taking in two more World Cups with New Zealand, both next year in North America and in 2030.