Aston Villa are ‘worrying’ Nottingham Forest far more than Brentford in the tussle over Brennan Johnson’s transfer with the winger keen to seal a switch to Unai Emery’s side.
That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that Aston Villa are ‘leaving no stone unturned’ in their pursuit of Johnson’s transfer. He is the only Premier League forward on the Villa Park natives’ radar. But Emery is determined to bring fresh attacking impetus into his Villans side.
Nottingham Forest find Aston Villa’s interest in Johnson’s potential transfer ‘very unwanted’. The Reds are determined to retain the 22-year-old’s services this summer and will do all the club can to keep him. Yet Emery’s interest sparks fear at the City Ground that he may leave.
Aston Villa are ‘worrying’ Nottingham Forest over Johnson’s transfer
Brentford have long been pursuing a deal to prise Johnson away from the club he has spent his entire career with. Nottingham Forest did not mind the Bees’ efforts as they believed he would overlook the move. But they fear that will not be the case should Aston Villa advance.
Aston Villa’s interest in Johnson’s transfer has created a very different and far more daunting atmosphere at Nottingham Forest. The Reds’ confidence in keeping the 19-cap Wales talent has started to wane with Brentford no longer the only team seriously targeting his signature.
Brentford are considering a new club-record bid for Johnson
Brentford may still edge Aston Villa’s interest with the Bees considering making Nottingham Forest a new club-record bid for Johnson’s transfer. The Evening Standard noted on Friday that the Gtech Community Stadium side are mulling upping a £30m bid with a new proposal.
Nottingham Forest rejected Brentford’s £30m bid in June as they value Johnson in excess of £50m. But the Bees and a clutch of interested Premier League teams believe they can sign the winger, who Clinton Morrison calls ‘fantastic’, and get the Reds’ price tag down to £40m.
What should help Aston Villa and shred Nottingham Forest’s nerves further is that the Daily Mail also reported this Thursday that Johnson is keen on the transfer to Villa Park. Talks have also occurred between the two parties, while his camp’s comments encouraged the Villans.
Emery has put Johnson on his shopping list in Birmingham after scoring eight and assisting three goals in his first season of Premier League football. The winger featured in all 38 of the Reds’ fixtures after helping Nottingham Forest earn promotion. He also started in 33 fixtures.
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