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Nottingham Forest will be braced for further interest in Brennan Johnson’s services this month, with Brentford keen on signing the winger, according to The Sun.

What’s the story?

Johnson has been with Forest since 2009, but has found regular game time in their senior squad tough to find of late.

The winger spent last year’s campaign on loan with League One side Lincoln City, and impressed with the Imps, as they finished fifth in the League One table, although his efforts weren’t quite enough to see them win promotion into the Championship, after a defeat to Blackpool in the play-off final.

But it appears as though his strong showings whilst out on loan haven’t gone unnoticed, with Brentford and Leeds United being named among the clubs interested in landing’s Johnson’s signature this summer.

The Sun has recently revealed that Brentford are set to make a £6million offer for Johnson, although it remains to be seen as to what Forest’s valuation of the midfielder is at this stage.

‘Direct’, ‘A lot of talent’

Johnson hasn’t had much of a chance to impress in the Forest first-team, but he has been involved in their pre-season plans, which drops a hint that he could be sticking in Chris Hughton’s side heading towards their season opener against Coventry City this weekend.

But with Brentford seemingly not giving up in their efforts to sign the 20-year-old, Forest will know that they have a real battle on their hands to keep Johnson at the City Ground for the foreseeable future.

The Bees are a team that are heading in the right direction, with Thomas Frank’s side preparing for life in the Premier League, after winning promotion last term.

Therefore, a move to Brentford might be a tempting proposition for Johnson, but he’s probably better off staying with Nottingham Forest, as they’re much more likely to be able to offer him regular game time in senior football.

With Sammy Ameobi leaving the club at the end of the 2020/21 season, Forest aren’t exactly blessed with a considerable amount of options in midfield, and Johnson will surely fancy his chances of being involved on a regular basis moving forwards into the new season.

Former Sunderland and West Brom forward Kevin Phillips has previously labelled Johnson as ‘direct’ and a player with ‘a lot of talent’, in an interview with Football Insider after hearing of Leeds United’s interest. 

“He impressed me when he played in the playoff games against Sunderland.

“Especially in that first game. He looked very direct and got the goal so he’s not afraid to get forward. He travels well with the ball and he’s only young.”

“He’s definitely got a lot of talent.”

It’s been a frustrating few seasons for Nottingham Forest, as they’ve struggled in their efforts to win promotion back into the top-flight, and they need to show their resolve and fend off any interest in their key players, and Johnson is certainly one of them as they head towards the new league campaign.

Aston Villa are prepared to break their transfer record again this summer for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, should Jack Grealish leave the club, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Grealish, Ward-Prowse links

Both Grealish and Ward-Prowse have been linked with exits from their respective clubs in recent weeks.

Manchester City are thought to be preparing a bid for Grealish following this summer’s European Championships. It is likely to cost City £100m to stand a chance of signing the 25-year-old, who has told friends he would be keen on an Etihad move.

Meanwhile, Villa were linked with Ward-Prowse at the start of the month.

The set-piece specialist is thought to be open to quitting St Mary’s for Villa Park prior to the new season, with Villa owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris hoping to have the 26-year-old through the door before pre-season begins.

The Latest: Source shares update

According to Football Insider, who have been informed by a recruitment source, Villa have been prepared for a possible Grealish exit.

Ward-Prowse isn’t viewed as a direct replacement for the Villa captain, however, the club are willing to place a massive bid for the midfielder, exceeding the club-record deal for Emiliano Buendia, should Grealish depart.

The Saints captain was described as ‘spectacular’ by Alex McLeish earlier this month and is valued at £27m by Transfermarkt.

The Verdict: It could take a huge fee

Going off Ward-Prowse’s Transfermarkt valuation and the fact he still has four years left on his Southampton deal, you’d expect the Saints would be reluctant to sell, to what they may see as a direct Premier League rival.

The fact Ward-Prowse appears keen on a move to the Midlands could twist their arm when it comes to a move, though, however, the Saints still hold the power, as Villa do with Grealish.

It may end up taking a bid well over £30m to bring the midfielder to Villa, but should Grealish leave, Ward-Prowse would certainly be able to replace his quality from dead-ball scenarios, as Villa fans will know after his two free-kicks at Villa Park last season.

In other news: Ashley Preece drops exciting Villa transfer update, find out more here. 

Liverpool must axe midfielder Marko Grujic this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild a title-winning squad.

What’s the story?

According to German outlet Berliner Kurier, Klopp wants to get rid of the 25-year-old talent over the upcoming transfer window, opening the door to a permanent exit.

Grujic has been with the Reds since signing from Red Star Belgrade in January 2016. The Serbia international made just 16 appearances in all competitions, though, enjoying loan spells at Cardiff, Hertha Berlin and Porto.

Klopp surely buzzing

With Liverpool’s reign as Premier League champions last just a single season, their enigmatic German manager has already begun preparations to wrestle back the Anfield outfit’s crown.

Highly-rated centre-back Ibrahima Konate has already arrived on Merseyside in a £34 million deal. However, with key midfielder Gini Wijnaldum expected to depart imminently and attacking reinforcements required, the Reds may have to offload some fringe players before making any more moves.

Bit-part players such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi have already been linked with a move away, and now Grujic is expected to join the duo in walking out the exit door.

Two of the 6 ft 2 powerhouses’ previous clubs are reportedly interested in acquiring his services on a permanent basis.

Hertha Berlin and Porto are said to be keen on Gruijic, with Liverpool’s director of football Michael Edwards understood to have set an asking price of around £12m.

The German outfit wanted to buy the box-to-box midfielder last summer, but the report claims Liverpool refused to sell the Belgrade-born player. Twelve months on, though Liverpool have made Porto aware that Grujic is available after he made 39 appearances for the Dragons last season.

Any addition to Klopp’s transfer budget would be greatly welcomed by the 53-year-old tactician as he looks to bring the sport’s biggest stars to Liverpool on a limited budget.

The pandemic has affected every club’s finances, and many will find themselves having to generate money through player sales in order to secure their top targets.

Selling the likes of Grujic this summer will be a logical solution to the financial barriers Liverpool face, and this latest revelation will surely please the club’s supporters as they look for Klopp and Edwards to get the club back in the hunt for major honours.

And, in other news…Liverpool handed huge boost over “very promising” 34-goal gem as update emerges 

Crystal Palace are keen on signing Chelsea defender Marc Guehi, according to The Athletic.

The Lowdown: Guehi profiled

The 20-year-old centre-back has 18 months of senior football under his belt.

He joined Swansea City during the second half of the 2019/20 campaign and spent the whole of the 2020/21 season in Wales, making a total of 59 appearances during that time.

Guehi, an England Under-21 international, has over two years remaining on his Stamford Bridge deal, worth £4,900-a-week.

His Transfermarkt valuation has skyrocketed over the last 18 months to £9m, and it seems as if the Eagles are tracking his situation.

The Latest: Woosnam and Fifield’s claim

The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam and Dominic Fifield shared an inside story on Nuno Espirito Santo’s move to Selhurst Park falling through on Wednesday.

In that piece, they suggested Guehi is a target for Palace, though it is not clear whether Steve Parish and co are hoping for a loan or permanent move.

The Verdict: Two manager targets know him well

Frank Lampard and Steve Cooper have both re-emerged as candidates to take over at Selhurst Park, and the pair will know Guehi well.

Cooper described Guehi as ‘brilliant’ last month and he was the man who has handed the Blues ace his first taste of senior football.

Lampard was in charge of Chelsea at the time of Guehi sealing his loan moves to Swansea, so you’d expect he would have agreed to the temporary deals with a view towards utilising the youngster further down the line.

Both managers may well end up targeting the youngster, should they take over from Roy Hodgson, but fans will have to remain patient for transfer activity given the current managerial situation.

In other news: Many Palace fans fume at specific Nuno Espirito Santo details, find out more here. 

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry insists that Everton have a huge amount of money to spend this summer, regardless of who their manager is going to be.

The Toffees have yet to appoint a permanent replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, who left to join Real Madrid earlier this summer.

They have been linked with a number of managers, but Rafael Benitez appears to be at the head of the queue despite a fan backlash.

Fry, though, insists that the Toffees will spend big in the next transfer window such is the ambition of owner Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright.

Indeed, Everton backed former boss Carlo Ancelotti to the hilt in the summer transfer window, as they brought in the likes of James Rodriguez, Allan, Ben Godfrey and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Fry said: “They have got big money to spend, they’re very, very ambitious, Bill Kenwright and the owner, they want to make Everton a top-four club, let alone a top six club or a top half club, they want to make them challenging for all the honours imaginable.

“So they have got to get it right in the managerial role otherwise come Christmas, if they start off badly, the whole thing will be out of the window and they’ll be disgruntled to say the least, the Everton fans.”

Everton ultimately finished 10th in the Premier League last season, eight points behind the top four.

Theo Walcott has flattered to deceive and has not improved as a footballer, says former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer.

Walcott, a Southampton youth product, rejoined the Saints on loan in the last summer transfer window but has since agreed to sign permanently when his contract at Everton expires, with the south coast club confirming this earlier this month.

He did manage to chip in with a few goals in the Premier League campaign that just concluded, but the English forward also missed a lot of games due to injury.

Overall, it is a permanent signing that has not impressed Palmer, who is concerned by the lack of progress he has seen in Walcott’s development down the years.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s flattered to deceive all the way throughout his career,” the ex-Southampton player exclusively told TT.

“I don’t think he’s improved as a football player having been blessed with all that kind of pace. I don’t think he’s improved and if you’re not going to improve under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, then you are what you are.

“So at Southampton, no pressure, he will probably give you one performance in every six or two performances in every six.”

On a free transfer and a player that Ralph Hasenhuttl now knows, you can see why Southampton decided to sign Walcott permanently in the end. The above, though, plus his injury record, may be a concern to some.

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and Sky Sports regular Kevin Phillips has reacted to claims involving West Ham United star Declan Rice after club insider Claret & Hugh shared Manchester United’s rather bizarre new transfer stance.

The Lowdown: United interest cools for Rice

Recently, insider C&H shared news from United in regards to a swoop for star man Rice – with the outlet claiming that Red Devils scouts are having second thoughts over the price tag and his lack of pace.

This comes after heavy links with a move to Old Trafford, with the 22-year-old West Ham star also attracting recent interest from the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Any club that comes in for Rice would have invest heavily, however, as GSB apparently value him upwards of £100 million.

The Latest: Phillips reacts to Rice claim

In reaction to C&H’s claim involving United scouts and West Ham’s star asset, Phillips is amazed over the alleged stance on Rice from United officials.

However, he also believes this could come as ‘great news’ for the Irons overall.

“I do not think it is a fair assessment saying Rice is too slow,” he explained to FI.

“I think he covers the ground quite well. He is a bit like Jordan Henderson. It is not his kind of role.

“It amazes me when people say he is too slow. Look at McTominay, I’d say Declan is a bit quicker than him.

“It is great news for West Ham though. The more that pull out the better for them! David Moyes will be hoping they all think he is too slow!”

The Verdict: West Ham should be overjoyed…

One big fear for West Ham is losing Rice in the summer and it’s safe to say his exit would be a huge blow to manager David Moyes.

A lot will depend on whether the Irons secure European qualification at the end of this season, and a previously unprecedented surge into the Champions League places could increase the odds of Rice committing his future.

C&H’s news that United scouts have took a bizarre fresh stance on star man definitely comes a boost given that’s one less horse allegedly dropping out of the race.

Phillips certainly has every right to call it ‘great news’ for West Ham.

In other news: West Ham fans want this prolific star signed, find out more here.

Twitter account @AVFC_News has asked Aston Villa fans if they would like to see the club make a move for Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.

Buendia has been instrumental in helping Norwich regain their top-flight status as winners of the Championship.

The Canaries posted a final tally of 97 points, finishing six points clear of Watford, who were also relegated in 2019/20.

Outstanding numbers mean Buendia is attracting interest

Buendia led the division for assists with 16 overall, four clear of his nearest challenger – Reading’s Michael Olise.

And, on top of that, his tally of 15 goals left him joint-eighth in the second tier. Buendia was WhoScored’s player of the season with an average rating of 7.78.

The 24-year-old does still have three years left on his Norwich City contract. Transfermarkt value him at £19.8million.

Buendia’s excellent creative stats make him appear a natural replacement for Jack Grealish, were the Englishman to depart this summer, as Birmingham Live report that Norwich could cash in with Villa one of many clubs interested,

Do Villa fans want the club to sign Buendia?

“He is quality but price is gonna be high! Norwich might sell though to fund other purchases.”

Credit: @pauljb412

“Yes, yes, yes. Let’s not miss out on him, as I really think we’ll regret it.”

Credit: @ABCDEFC45833367

“Yessss, please”

Credit: @MarioJimenez89

“Should have bought him last summer”

Credit: @tw1708

“Yes.”

Credit: @Laithmatic

“You wait years for a Brazilian and now we have two. We’ve only got one Emi so let’s do the double there too. Then Djemba Djemba can come back too.”

Credit: @Villafied77

In other news, this forward has been tipped to leave Villa Park in the summer.

It was not the season that either Wolves or Matt Doherty had hoped for as the Midlands club finished 13th and the wing-back finished the season having been handed just 13 Premier League starts at Tottenham, so Wolves legend Steve Bull has refused to rule out a potential reunion this summer.

Nelson Semedo was Wolves’ second most expensive signing last summer but turned out to be one of their most underwhelming players after failing to emulate Doherty’s importance at Wolves, with the Portuguese international managing just one goal and assist.

There have been links suggesting that Doherty could find himself back at Molineux, however with Jose Mourinho now having left Tottenham Hotspur and Nuno Espirito Santo now not at Molineux, that move would appear more difficult to do.

Doherty was a firm fan favourite during his time at Wolves having been with the club from 2010 and his absence has truly been felt, especially in the final third, but Bull has claimed that a reunion could be on the cards this summer, as he explained exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“We might go back in for Doherty, you never know because we might try and get him on loan, who knows?

“I think there will be plenty of options but I think we need to look at centre midfield and up front to strengthen our squad.”

Something that could prove to be a stumbling block before discussions even start, is that one of Spurs’ other right-backs, Serge Aurier, has reportedly already agreed a deal to leave the club this summer, therefore seeing them allow two right-backs to leave would be unlikely.

Both Wolves and Spurs are still on the hunt for a new manager with Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure coming as much more of a shock to everyone associated with the club.

Lee Johnson has admitted that it will be ‘extremely difficult’ for Sunderland to earn promotion to the Championship automatically after their latest defeat.

Johnson makes Sunderland admission

The Black Cats lost 1-0 to Blackpool on Saturday, their third defeat in a row after losing 2-1 to both Charlton and Wigan (Sky Sports). They are now eight points behind Peterborough in second place with just five games left to play (BBC).

Speaking after the defeat to the Seasiders, Johnson admitted that his side must now look to earn promotion via the play-offs. He said (via The Chronicle):

“It looks now that it is going to be extremely difficult to get into that top two, which is very disappointing after putting so much effort into getting there.

“Now we have to secure that second chance, but keep going and building performances because you never know it [automatic promotion] might still happen because there are still 15 points to play for.

“We’ve lost three games on the spin, two of those – against Charlton at home and then today – I didn’t think we deserved to lose, but it’s happened.

“There’s not a lot we can do about that.

“There have been three losses, but two of those have been decent performances and the other [at Wigan] was a really bad one.”

Realistic

Prior to this dreadful three-game run, it really looked as though the Wearside outfit had a realistic chance of automatic promotion. They even had their fate in their own hands but, as Johnson has said, the three defeats have all but ended those hopes and they must now concentrate on the play-offs.

They are currently six points clear of seventh place, so they should earn a play-off spot, but they must ensure that they do by bouncing back quickly. Given the way they have battled to be in contention for the top two, it would be a huge shame if they now totally threw away their promotion chances.

In other news, many Sunderland fans slammed this man’s performance against Blackpool.