Brentford make record £30m offer for Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson
Brentford have made a club record offer worth around £30 million for Brennan Johnson, the Nottingham Forest attacker.
Johnson is a priority target for Thomas Frank this summer and Brentford have submitted a significant bid for the Wales international as the transfer window officially opened on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old was one of Forest’s stand-out performers as the club secured Premier League survival, scoring eight goals and contributing three assists.
Brentford have been trailing Johnson for over 18 months and failed with at least three offers to sign him in the January 2022 window.
It is understood the latest offer has again been rejected by Forest and falls well short of the club’s valuation, but they are aware of growing interest in their homegrown star.
The son of former Forest forward David, Johnson was also the subject of a bid from Everton last summer. Aston Villa and West Ham have also shown interest in recent months.
Brentford’s bid eclipses the £22 million paid for Freiburg’s Kevin Schade, who completed his permanent move earlier this week after an initial loan spell.
Forest, meanwhile, are targeting a number of other signings this summer, with Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson regarded as a priority.
Henderson spent last season on loan at Forest and is open to returning, but any deal will be on hold until David De Gea officially signs his new contract at Old Trafford.
Forest will also consider the sales of fringe players including Jonjo Shelvey, Emmanuel Dennis, Remo Freuler, Steve Cook and Sam Surridge to free up space for their 25-man squad.
Forest head coach Steve Cooper has recently held a series of meetings with club owner Evangelos Marinakis and newly appointed chief football officer Ross Wilson over the club’s summer transfer strategy.
After signing a record 30 players following their return to the top division, Forest are determined to focus on quality over quantity in their attempts to strengthen the squad.
Wilson, who was appointed towards the end of last season following his departure from Rangers, is keen to appoint a number of new staff members to improve Forest’s infrastructure.
Forest finished 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone, after their first season at this level since 1999.
