Nottingham Forest legend Garry Birtles has told Nottinghamshire Live that Brennan Johnson would be wise to stay at the City Ground.
The 20-year-old’s future is up in the air. He is out of contract in the summer of 2023 and hasn’t yet committed to Forest.
Johnson scored his fifth goal of the campaign on Saturday against Hull and he’s also claimed four assists during 2021/22.
He has featured in every game under Steve Cooper and right now, he’s clearly enjoying his football.
With January on the horizon, it seems as though speculation will start to increase once again.
Brentford saw three bids rejected in the summer, with Forest thought to value him around the £10 million mark.
Leeds, Leicester, Everton and Crystal Palace have all been linked in the past too.
Birtles doesn’t think Johnson should consider leaving just yet though.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “There’s no point in Brennan going anywhere yet, He might be going to the Premier League. We don’t know. We’re desperate to get in the Premier League.
“I think he should stay at Forest, very much so. Cloughie used to say learn your trade. You don’t do that by going somewhere else and not getting in the team.”
What are Forest’s chances of keeping Johnson?
Right now, they do seem pretty strong. He is enjoying his football and Forest aren’t under any pressure to sell just yet.
In the summer things might be different but by then the club might have persuaded him to sign a new contract at the City Ground.
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Johnson has been really good this season and is growing with each passing performance.
He boasts real box office quality and he’s probably the first name on the Forest team sheet from an attacking perspective at the moment.
Birtles doesn’t get much wrong when talking about Forest and he’s spot on once again here.