Brentford are said to be willing to pay a club record £15million fee for Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson.
But it is likely to take a bid of significantly more than that for the Reds to entertain any thoughts of letting him go.
Johnson has attracted a string of top-flight suitors with his excellent form this season, having already been the subject of plenty of interest in the summer.
The Bees were among those keen back then, and they continue to court the 20-year-old’s signature.
Forest, though, would not be prepared to discuss letting Johnson go “unless there was a bid of £18m”, according to The Athletic.
Bowler bid
Nottingham Forest are said to have had a second bid turned down for Blackpool winger Josh Bowler.
The Reds are persisting with efforts to strengthen their attacking resources this month, with Bowler and Millwall’s Jed Wallace understood to be top targets.
But they face competition for both, and have so far been rebuffed in their attempts to land the pair’s signatures.
A second offer has been rejected by the Seasiders for Bowler, this time comprising more cash up front, according to LancsLive, after the initial approach was largely incentives based.
Spence in spotlight
The number of Premier League sides said to be taking an interest in Nottingham Forest defender Djed Spence continues to rack up.
The on-loan Middlesbrough full-back is understood to have teams at home and abroad watching him closely following a string of standout displays.
And now Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur have been added to the list of potential suitors for Spence.
The Bees are “looking at a summer move” for the 21-year-old, according to 90min, while Sky Sports claim Spurs “are considering making a move this month”.
Rams in crisis
Nottingham Forest face bitter rivals Derby County this weekend - and ahead of the crunch clash, there has been no shortage of drama at the other end of Brian Clough Way.
Plenty of Reds fans have piled in on social media to have their say on the latest twist in developments at Pride Park.
The English Football League issued a statement on the crisis-hit Rams on Monday night, including addressing whether they “have a vendetta” against the club.
The EFL also said they are committed to resolving “a complex legal position” that is threatening Derby’s bid to find a buyer and exit administration.
