Premier League strugglers Leeds United are showing interest in Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson who looks set for bigger and better things.
According to Football Insider, Premier League strugglers Leeds United are keeping tabs on Norringham Forest winger Brennan Johnson.
The 20-year-old is being scouted ahead of the upcoming January transfer window. Leeds scouts were in attendance as Nottingham Forest took on Queen Park Rangers last week. While Johnson did not particularly make a difference that night, he showed enough to suggest he is worth the gamble.
The youngster came through the ranks at Forest, making his first-team debut against West Bromwich Albion in 2019. Johnson has since made 25 appearances for the Championship side, scoring and assisting and scoring three goals apiece. However, it was, in fact, at Lincoln City that Johnson received his baptism of fire in senior football. He made such an impression with the Imps that he returned to Forest and is today a first-team regular.
Primarily a winger, Johnson is also capable of playing in the midfield or even upfront. This versatility could make him an invaluable asset for Leeds. Marcelo Bielsa is among the best managers globally and could work his magic on the talented young Welshman.
Possessing both pace and power, Johnson makes numerous forays upfront and knows full well to use his strengths well. The youngster still has to fine-tune his game and also pick up a semblance of consistency. Under the right guidance, the development could be speeded up.
Leeds have struggled this season and find themselves at the wrong end of the table. Brazilian winger Raphinha has been the club’s best player, while summer signing Daniel James has come short. Bielsa could do with another wide man, and Johnson certainly fits the bill.
While it would be too much to expect him to perform right off the bat, Johnson is one to watch out for in the future. His contract with Forest runs until 2023, and it remains to be seen what it will take for Forest to part ways with him.
Johnson has also been capped five times by the Welsh national team. He is a player who is steadily making a name for himself both at the club level and with his country. As long as he continues to develop as expected, the sky is the limit. Johnson, who won the EFL Young Player of the Month Award in September, is also on the radars of Crystal Palace and Everton.
Stepping up to the Premier League from the Championship is not unheard of but uncommon. The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Jams Maddison and others all established themselves in the top flight despite not having prior experience. It will not come as a surprise if Johnson too joins that list.
