Boss Steve Cooper insists he is “sure” in-demand Brennan Johnson will still be at Nottingham Forest by the end of the transfer window.
The 20-year-old is a wanted man as January heads towards its conclusion, with the Reds’ resolve being severely tested.
Brentford are believed to have upped their offer to such a significant sum that it would mean a record deal for both sides, while there is talk of Newcastle United being expected to make a bid.
And they are not the only teams interested. Johnson has no shortage of suitors, just as was the case in the summer after he returned from an impressive loan spell at Lincoln City.
He again showed how integral he is to Forest’s promotion push on Tuesday night when he weighed in with a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Barnsley.
Asked whether he was hopeful of hanging on to the attacker amid the latest developments, Cooper said: “I’m more than hopeful. I’m sure he’ll be here.”
The Reds moved to within a point of the play-off places by seeing off the Tykes at the City Ground.
Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis opened the scoring, before Johnson teed up Ryan Yates for the second and then added the third himself in the second half.
“We don’t want to be taking him for granted,” Cooper said of the Nigel Doughty Academy product.
“He looked a threat when he got the ball.
“Even things like getting the two left-sided defenders booked early on, you’re thinking, ‘well, keep getting at them’ - I don’t want to sound too cynical.
“His assist was brilliant for Yatesy’s goal, and his goal was brilliant.
“He’s a talented boy. And we love him. We’ve just got to keep working hard with him and keep pushing him.”
