Nottingham Forest have been told they will struggle to hang on to Brennan Johnson this summer – regardless of whether they win their relegation battle.
The homegrown forward has been one of the Reds’ standout performers in their first season back in the Premier League with nine goals in all competitions. He was also part of the Wales squad at the World Cup in Qatar and is likely to become a key player for his country in the wake of Gareth Bale’s retirement from the game.
His progress, from playing in League One with Lincoln on loan two years ago, to helping Forest win the Championship play-offs and now starring in the Premier League has naturally attracted attention and there is likely to be interest in the 21-year-old this summer.
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Notts County legend Ian McParland and former Forest defender Kelvin Wilson both reckon the Reds will struggle to retain Johnson this summer.
“He’s a talented lad, Brennan. He’s a fantastic footballer and I’ll be surprised if he’s still at Forest next season,” McParland told Notts TV’s Team Talk show.
“His finishing’s brilliant. If he gets 10 Premier League goals in a side that’s fighting to stay up, that is some return, plus his assists. He’s going to be the man that saves Forest if they’re going to stay up.”
Wilson, who had two spells with Forest, agreed, adding: “In the first three games, Forest couldn’t get out of their own half and Brennan couldn’t get the ball. But they’ve settled and at home they are a force to be reckoned with. Brennan’s real a danger man in the Premier League.”
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