Newcastle United should find out over the next few weeks whether or not they have a chance of signing Brennan Johnson this summer.
The Nottingham Forest forward was linked with a move to Newcastle last year before Steve Cooper’s side won promotion to the Premier League, and Johnson still appears to be on the Magpies’ radar.
It was recently claimed that Toon officials are big fans of Johnson, as they ponder who to move for during the summer transfer window.
Eddie Howe will be looking for attacking reinforcements, and the 21-year-old ticks a lot of boxes. He has stacks of potential, can play in a couple of positions and has proven himself in the Premier League.
However, there could be one big issue stopping Johnson from heading to St James’ Park.
Nottingham Forest reluctant to sell Brennan Johnson
According to Football Transfers, Forest are reluctant to let Johnson leave the City Ground this summer. They state that he is attracting interest from the Magpies, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
The report adds that they will reject any offers for the youngster if they avoid relegation to the Championship.
Their stance may change if they drop out of the Premier League, but survival is currently in their hands going into the final three games of the season. Forest are 16th after 35 games, and play Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace in their remaining fixtures.
With Forest currently on course to stay in the top flight, that could Newcastle’s, or anyone else’s, hopes of signing Johnson.
That is a great shame, as he has handled the step up to the Premier League really well. The ‘magnificent‘ attacker is Forest’s top scorer, scoring eight league goals so far.
He looks very much like a player that would suit Howe, but once again it does not look like the right time to do a deal. That was the case last season too, with promotion ending any hope of signing him from Forest.
Newcastle might be big fans of Johnson, but it seems likely that they will have to continue admiring him from afar.
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