Premier League clubs are queuing up to sign Nottingham Forest talent Brennan Johnson, with Everton and Newcastle preparing to fight-off top-flight rivals.
The 20-year-old has started every Championship game this season and played a decisive role in Forest’s active three-game win streak. The Welshman has scored two and assisted once in his last couple of games.
Brentford had a bid for Johnson rejected late last summer but haven’t given up yet, with West Ham also among the Premiership clubs interested – going in for another second-tier star after Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen’s success.
Johnson’s impressive form has convinced Everton and Newcastle to make an approach for the young star but they’ll have to match Forest’s £20m valuation, Sportsmail understands.
The Toffees need more backup in attack, while Newcastle’s new mega-rich owners are ready to invest in the future.
Forest would like to keep Johnson for their play-off push this season, but a sizeable bid from one of the Premier League club could convince them to let their academy graduate go.
Tottenham are also monitoring Johnson, who spent last season racking-up 10 goals and 14 assists in League One with Lincoln City.
He appeared for England’s under-16 and 17 teams before switching allegiance to Wales, making his debut for the Dragons last year. The 20-year-old has made seven international appearances so far.
Johson’s father, David, made more than 100 appearances for Forest during his own playing career, and the club’s fans would be sad to see the homegrown talent go.
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Especially in January as they hope the youngster will continue to drive them back up the table during the second half of the season.
The two time European champions have moved back up to seventh, nine points from automatic promotion and onto the cusp of the play-offs with a nine-game unbeaten run.
