‘The logical next step’ – Nottingham Forest make decision on midfielder: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nottingham Forest are set to offer Brennan Johnson a new contract, according to a recent report from The Athletic.

Johnson has been with Forest since 2009, and has caught the eye with some impressive showings out on loan recently, having spent the 2020/21 campaign with League One side Lincoln City.

The winger made 48 appearances for the Imps, and chipped in with 13 goals and 14 assists for them, as they narrowly missed out on promotion into the Championship, after a defeat to Blackpool in the League One play-off final.

The likes of Leeds United and Brentford were just some of the teams rumoured to be interested in a deal to sign Johnson this summer, but Forest are seemingly keen to do all they can to keep him at the City Ground for the foreseeable future.

We ask our Football League World writers what they make of Forest’s rumoured decision to offer Johnson a new contract ahead of the 2021/22 Championship campaign and whether it’s a good call from the Reds or not.

Ned Holmes:

Absolutely!

Nottingham Forest should be doing all they can to ensure that Brennan Johnson doesn’t leave this summer and wants to stay for as long as possible.

The 20-year-old looks like a player with an extremely bright future but also something that could be a key man this summer.

Hughton’s side developed some real defensive solidity last term but their attack needs work and Johnson could be the solution.

He was phenomenal for the Imps last term and is deserving of a new contract.

This is smart from Forest.

Billy Mulley:

Brennan Johnson had an excellent season last time out and deserves his chance at Forest.

He was a constant attacking threat for The Imps last season and should be awarded with a chance to impress at first-team level under Chris Hughton.

He is obviously a very talented footballer, scoring 10 goals and grabbing 12 assists during a season that he was a teenager for the most part.

He played a vital role in Lincoln’s promotion push last year and the logical next step for him is being in and around the first-team set up next year.

If an extremely lucrative offer from elsewhere comes in they may feel the need to cash in – that would be the exception to offering him anew contract.

Johnson is an exceptional talent and he deserves to prove himself in this year’s Championship.

Can you score full marks on this 22-question Nottingham Forest quiz?

1 of 22

Forest were formed in which year?

1862

1865

1868

1871

Adam Jones:

Johnson signed a new ‘long-term’ contract back in 2019 although the length of this deal is undisclosed, but it’s a wise decision by Nottingham Forest to offer him a new deal considering how well he did for Lincoln City last season, recording 27 goal contributions in all competitions.

That attacking threat is something Forest desperately missed last season as they finished 17th.

But the return of the 20-year-old could take the East Midlands side to the next level in the 2021/22 campaign – and Forest fans should be excited about the prospect of a vast improvement on their previous campaign if Johnson stays.

Forest conceded just 45 goals in 46 league matches last term, a lower total than Barnsley and Bournemouth who both finished in the play-off places.

Their attack majorly let them down and despite the need to improve their attacking department to complement the winger’s return, a new contract for one of their prized assets would be a major morale boost at the City Ground after a slow start to pre-season in terms of transfers.

He is also subject of interest from Premier League new boys Brentford and others, so this deal would be beneficial both financially, for morale and could potentially eliminate any doubt about the 20-year-old’s future in the East Midlands.

It’s a win-win situation – now is Forest’s time to follow through with this intention.