Andros Townsend should empty Finch Farm locker as Sean Dyche eyes Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson
Everton are reportedly interested in Nottingham Forest’s jet-heeled winger Brennan Johnson – and that could be bad news for Andros Townsend.
The former Crystal Palace man has been a long-term absentee from the Toffees’ first-team plans with a knee injury and is out of contract on 30 June.
The Daily Mail claim on 6 June, that Johnson is being targetted, with Forest valuing the winger in the region of £40million. It’s believed West Ham United are also interested in the 22-year-old.
It remains to be seen whether Townsend, who is now 31, will be given a new deal. But the links to Johnson could have dropped a fairly big clue.
It’s likely Townsend will be on a fairly big wage at Goodison Park and those funds could well be used to assist with other transfer targets or wages.
The Toffees have to be more progressive when it comes to their transfer dealings. For far too long, Everton have dished out large contracts to players who are long past their best. The board need to start being savvier and looking to sign players who are up and coming.
Johnson slots right into that category. He’s enjoyed a splendid season for Forest and is still extremely young. There’s every chance of the winger developing and earning Everton a significant transfer fee in the future. Departures will have to occur and Townsend would feel like the most likely candidate.
It’s a harsh outcome for the winger – considering his knee injury – but it’s a departure which will have to happen for the betterment of the club.