‘Different animal’: Coach says £20m Leeds & Newcastle target is something special

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Wales U-21 coach Paul Bodin has lauded Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson’s season so far for the Championship side, with Leeds United and Newcastle United eyeing the winger.

Speaking to the Guardian, the international official praised how much the English-born attacker has progressed this season, with Johnson set to make a move to the Premier League this summer after a breakout year with Forest.

The 20-year-old has played a key role in Forest’s push for promotion back to the Premier League, with Johnson bagging 12 goals and five assists in all competitions, and his form has now caught the eye of some major clubs in the top-flight.

The Wales international is reportedly a top target for both Leeds and Newcastle, with Forest valuing Johnson at a club-record £20m as per the Athletic. And according to his former U-21 international coach Bodin, the attacker has all the qualities to go far in football.

Bodin said: “He is so composed. He can pass it with good quality when he’s running. He just feeds the ball into good areas, with the perfect weight of pass. They were standout things years ago but they were not on the stage he is on now.”

The Wales coach added about Johnson: “He’s got all the ingredients, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got great family support, so the world is his oyster. He is a genuine, quiet, modest man. But once he is unleashed onto the pitch, he is a different animal.”

Wales star Johnson will have pick of Premier League clubs this summer

Johnson has been one of the Championship’s top players this season, and this summer will likely see most top Premier League clubs makes their offers for the Wales international, which could prove to be a positive for the youngster.

Indeed, Newcastle and Leeds both have strong cases on signing Johnson this summer, yet with other big clubs in the division eyeing the attacker, the Wales star will have to be smart in deciding which side he joins this off-season when the offers come flooding in.