Report: £10m Leeds and Leicester target facing uncertain future; contract talks stall

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Nottingham Forest are struggling to tie Brennan Johnson down to a new contract with the reported Leeds United, Leicester City and Burnley target facing an uncertain future at the Championship giants, according to the Athletic. 

A 2-1 defeat to Coventry City – complete with a 96th-minute winner – was not exactly the dream start to the season Nottingham Forest wanted. 

But while the perennial underachievers are already stuck at the wrong end of the table, it wasn’t all bad at the Ricoh Arena.

The performances of youngsters Alex Mighten, Jordan Gabriel and Brennan Johnson should give those long-suffering supporters something to look forward to – that is if they stay at the City Ground, of course. 

Gabriel has been linked with Blackpool and Sunderland while Johnson, who set up Lyle Taylor’s opener on Sunday after a superb solo run, has plenty of admirers in the division above.

Will Brennan Johnson stay at Nottingham Forest?

According to the Athletic, Leicester City, Leeds United and Brentford – three clubs who boast a superb track record when it comes to turning promising youngsters into established stars – are all tracking the £10 million-rated Johnson. 

The 20-year-old Welshman was a revelation on loan at Lincoln last term – netting 13 goals and providing 14 assists – and don’t be surprised if he blossoms into the Championship’s most exciting talent over the next few months.

In the words of Gary Brazil, Forest’s director of football development, this is a player with ‘elite‘ potential.

While contract talks between Johnson and Nottingham Forest are understood to have stalled, that does not mean the two-time European champions are set to lose another exciting academy graduate before the summer is out. 

The Athletic reports that Johnson is keen to stay and develop his game under a proven second-tier manager in Chris Hughton.

The divisions are the result of disagreements over the length of the deal and the inclusion of a release clause. Johnson still has another two years left on his current contract.