Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson left Hannah Cain in awe on Friday night despite Armenia beating Wales. He is also a transfer target for Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Rob Page’s squad suffered an early blow to their European Championship qualifying efforts with a 4-2 defeat. Dan James (10’) had given Cymru an early lead in the Group D affair. But Lucas Zelarayan (19’, 75’) and Grant-Leon Ranos (30’, 66’) would turn the game on its head.
Harry Wilson (72’) would reply for Wales but Kieffer Moore’s red card helped Armenia hold on over the closing stages. Johnson also created a hatful of openings during his time on the pitch. Page replaced the Nottingham Forest product with David Brooks in the 71st minute.
Brennan Johnson still shines despite Armenia beating Wales
Page started Johnson on the right of Wales’ front three against Armenia on Friday at Cardiff City Stadium. He would come to revel in the decision early on as the Nottingham Forest ace delivered a perfect cross into James at the far post to score the opener from five yards out.
Johnson continued to probe the Armenia backline and he stung Ognjen Cancarevic’s gloves with a half-volley. But Wales would fail to feed the 22-year-old the ball often enough as the game wore on. He left his 19th Cymru cap with his third assist but not his third goal so far.
Arsenal and Newcastle are eying the Nottingham Forest star’s transfer
Wales boss Page started Johnson at home to Armenia following the Arsenal and Newcastle transfer target offering Nottingham Forest 10 goals and three assists across 44 appearances in 2022/23. He recorded eight goals and three assists over 38 Premier League appearances.
Reports by Football Transfers in May 2023 named Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle as having interest in Johnson’s transfer from Nottingham Forest. While Brentford have since made a £30m offer, which the Daily Mail noted earlier this week Forest rejected.
Nottingham Forest are braced for further bids for Johnson’s transfer and have not ruled out cashing in on him. And the Arsenal, Brentford and Newcastle target impressing Cain during Wales’ defeat to Armenia on Friday just showed why they are interested in his transfer, too.
“Wales need to get Brennan Johnson on the ball a little bit more,” Cain stated on BBC Radio Wales. “As soon as the ball comes anywhere near him he’s rapid off the mark. He’s going to create a chance, Wales just need to get him the ball.”
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