Everton battling Tottenham and Newcastle for £20m Championship wonder kid

Everton are reportedly preparing an offer for Nottingham Forest youngster Brennan Johnson.

But the fledgling forward is rated at £20 million, with Newcastle, Tottenham and Brentford also monitoring his situation.

Who is Brennan Johnson?

Johnson, 20, is a product of Forest's academy and been with the club since the age of eight.

He was handed his debut in August 2019 and made a further seven appearances for the club that season.

Johnson was then loaned to Lincoln City for the 2020-21 campaign where he thrived.

In total, he scored 13 goals in 49 appearances as Michael Appleton's Imps were beaten in the League One play-off final against Blackpool.

Johnson returned to the City Ground in the summer and has unsurprisingly become a regular.

So far this term, he’s hit six goals in 24 outings - including bagging twice in his past two games.

Johnson also represented England at youth level but then switched his allegiance to Wales.

He's been capped seven times by the Dragons at senior level.

What's been said

According to Mail Online, Johnson scintillating form has ‘convinced’ Everton that he can make the grade in the top flight.

The Toffees are yet to lodge a bid but are supposedly readying one.

However, Johnson is not short of suitors. Brentford had an offer turned down last summer and remain admirers.

Meanwhile, moneybags Newcastle are keen while Tottenham are said to be tracking the situation.

Forest are claimed to want to keep Johnson around as they push for the Championship play-offs but an offer of £20 million could convince them to cash in.

How likely will Johnson join Everton?

It's not that big of a surprise that Everton might be tracking Johnson.

There's real value in the Championship and some supporters will be happy the Blues are scouting the division for an unearthed gem.

However, if the price tag is correct, it's a serious amount of cash to part with for someone who's yet to play in the Premier League and is still learning his trade.

With Vitaliy Mykolenko already set to join in January for £18 million, another significant fee next month may be ruled out given the financial troubles at Goodison Park.