Brennan Johnson has been one of Nottingham Forest's star players as they have climbed the Championship table. But as the end of the season draws into view, his future is sure to come into sharp focus.
There will be plenty of changes at the City Ground in the summer as head coach Steve Cooper looks to put his stamp on the squad, with incomings and outgoings expected. And there is likely to be interest in some of the Reds’ key men after a campaign of sparkling performances in the Garibaldi.
By that stage, Johnson will have 12 months left to run on his current contract. Having been a wanted man before, he continues to have clubs casting admiring glances in his direction. Here’s a look at the state of play on the 20-year-old’s future as attention will soon turn to the transfer window.
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Contract status
Johnson’s deal is due to expire in the summer of 2023. Talks have been held over a new one, but, as yet, fresh terms haven’t been agreed.
It would certainly put Forest in a stronger position with regards to their prized asset, if they can get him tied down to a new long-term contract. The Nigel Doughty Academy graduate is said to be in no rush to put pen to paper, however.
Speaking of a meeting with owner Evangelos Marinakis, Johnson's father, and former Reds striker, David previously said: “He was fantastic. He came across really well. He told me how he sees the club and its future. We said, ‘great, we'll carry on talks’.
“There's 15 games to go so let's sit down and try to get something sorted by the end of the season, but it's so busy it will probably be by email or something. That's where we're at. Everyone thinks it's like deadline day and you have an hour to agree the contract.
"It's not. The club take their time. We're in no rush and everything is going really well. The club have been brilliant and we'll get there in the end."
Who’s interested?
Brentford tried their best to lure Johnson away in January, having been pursuing him since last summer. But Forest rejected what would have been a club record fee in order to keep their star man.
“Brennan could potentially have had a move in January,” Wales boss Robert Page said last month. “But he decided to stay because he’s at a club where he was going to play and enjoy his football.
“That speaks volumes about him. He didn’t go chasing the money.
“He’s almost the finished article now, and Forest have got a wonderful player on their hands. I’ve been to watch him a few times and he’s playing with freedom. He’s really enjoying his football."
Since January, the attacker has continued to shine for Cooper’s side, with a string of fine displays ensuring he remains in the spotlight. Tottenham Hotspur have been linked, while there was talk of Newcastle United weighing up a bid in January.
The Magpies' interest has seemingly not gone away. Johnson was reportedly set to be among the names discussed by the club in a recruitment meeting at the end of March. And it has now been claimed a scouting report has been drawn up on the youngster.
Everton, West Ham United, Burnley, Leeds United, Leicester City, Barnsley, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion have previously been credited with an interest.
What’s been said?
Johnson said in October: “I’ve been here since the age of eight. Playing for Forest has always been my dream, so it’s really nice to play for them.
“It would be nice to stay here. But at the minute, I’m just focusing on the next game. If we keep winning games, I think the rest will sort itself out.
“At times it is nice to hear (about other interest), but I was just focused on coming back to Forest in the summer (after being on loan at Lincoln City). I didn’t have that long off because of the play-offs, so I didn’t really have much time to think about what was happening because I was back at Forest before I knew it.
“I think that kind of helped, coming back in quite quickly, just getting back into the swing of things in pre-season with Forest.”
Boss Cooper is confident any speculation about his future won’t affect the youngster. He has said: “I don’t worry too much about Brennan because he is a very calm guy.
“He is quite interested in his football really and training well and getting ready for the next game. He will be looking at stuff from the last game he has done well and aspects to improve on. I don’t worry one bit about any side-shows going on around him.
“As for contract talks, I am sure there is stuff going on in the background but my job and Brennan’s job is just to work as hard as we can to play well and win as many games as we can. We’ll leave the other stuff to other people.
“I am very happy with Brennan. He has been getting the goals for us recently and as always it is about getting ready and looking forward to the next game.”
