Everton determined to win chase for £20million Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson
Everton are “readying” a move for Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson dependent on the playoff final, the Daily Mail reports.
The 21-year-old is in the Championship promotion face-off against Huddersfield Town on Sunday (29 May) and could agree a new contract if his side are promoted, but looks set to leave if they lose or a deal isn’t reached.
The second tier’s player of the year winner has been watched by various Premier League sides through this season, including the Toffees, who have reportedly identified him as one of their top transfer targets along with James Tarkowski.
Welsh international Johnson has enjoyed a standout season, scoring 19 times and assisting nine across all competitions.
According to The Mail the club are “determined to beat off competition for his signature” if he decides to leave the City Ground, which is considered “likely” if Forest are not promoted.
Newcastle, Leicester and Brentford are mentioned as other sides with an interest in the youngster.
Exciting prospect
Johnson could be set to take the top flight by storm one way or another, as he has thrived in the Championship this season, after doing well in the League One a year earlier, in his first sustained involvement in senior football.
If the pattern continues it would suggest he is ready for the top and if the Toffees can land him it would be a significant coup.
The award win will have pushed his asking price up, and his involvement in the showpiece final will draw further attention.
But he looks like exactly the sort of player that fits the Lampard mould, in terms of an exciting youngster with success in the second-tier.
Much has been made of the manager’s history with the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Reece James, but they have flourished again this season, and Johnson could be next on that list.
The player appears to have the ability to do that himself however, as his body of work in a short space of time is impressive.
Over 100 appearances and nine international caps in the space of two seasons at such a young age suggests he is destined for success, so fans will hope that can be under Lampard at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, one Sky, BBC and talkSPORT pundit is excited by the move that the club are already pushing for, with a £90,000-a-week deal offered.
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