Opinion

Opinion: Newcastle won’t be able to sign Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson now

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It feels like Newcastle suddenly have no chance of signing Brennan Johnson.

The Magpies have been linked with the Nottingham Forest winger, who has lit the Championship up this season. He scored 19 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions.

He was a target for Newcastle in January, and those rumours have carried on going into the summer.

The Daily Mail listed the 21-year-old as an attacking target alongside Moussa Diaby, the Bayer Levekusen ace who Newcastle are hoping to sign.

Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

While a move for Diaby might be possible, it feels like Johnson definitely won’t be heading to St James’ Park. At least not permanently, anyway…

Promotion should keep Brennan Johnson away from Newcastle

Forest secured promotion to the Premier League yesterday afternoon. They beat Huddersfield 1-0 at Wembley, returning to the top flight for the first time since 1999.

Forest are back after 23 years, with Steve Cooper doing a remarkable job at the City Ground.

Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images

They will now start preparations for returning to the Premier League, which may include keeping their prized asset.

It was previously reported that Johnson could leave Forest this summer, with the midfielder unlikely to sign a new contract if promotion wasn’t achieved. Of course, that should change now.

Forest will be desperate to hand Johnson a new deal, and he is no doubt keen to play in the top flight with his boyhood club.

They’ll also get a much bigger fee for him in the future if he signs a new long-term contract.

Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

It’s disappointing for Newcastle, who could really have benefitted from Johnson’s talents. He’s an exceptional young player who would definitely improve under Eddie Howe.

Right midfield is a position of weakness for the Magpies, which is why Johnson would have been a good signing – he looks ready for top flight football.

He will be heading to St James’ Park next season, but only when we face Forest in the Premier League. We’ll also see a return for former Magpie Jack Colback, who was also part of the Forest squad that achieved promotion.