Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook has told The Telegraph that he knows for a fact that Brennan Johnson was told to stay at the club in January.
The Reds attacker was the subject of four failed bids from Brentford. Forest stood firm though and Johnson has kicked on since choosing to stay at the City Ground.
He has scored 11 goals and registered six assists for the Reds. Johnson is valued at around £20 million, although he will have just a year to run on his deal in the summer.
Forest would dearly love for Johnson to stay at the club for a little longer. Whilst the club remains a Championship outfit, however, they will always be prone to a sale.
Cook has now made a revelation that supporters will love, during an interview with The Telegraph.
He said: “Brennan obviously had an opportunity to move on but I know for a fact that he was advised to stat at Forest.”
Brentford weren’t the only club interested in Johnson. Leeds, Tottenham, West Ham and Leicester were all thought to be keen on the attacker.
At 20 he is one of the hottest properties in the country and Forest can feel very lucky to still have him.
Forest must extend Johnson contract
The Reds have to move heaven and earth to keep Johnson beyond the end of the current campaign.
Forest are pretty dependent on the forward for match-winning quality and ultimately he’s a real asset.
Cook has been brilliant since coming into the club but Johnson boasts some exciting qualities in the final third.
The Reds must do whatever it takes to keep him and he could be integral under Steve Cooper’s management next season once again.