Manchester City conversation with Nottingham Forest over now-Tottenham star revealed in documentation

Premier League champions Manchester City held a level of conversation with Nottingham Forest over Brennan Johnson in June 2023, it has been revealed.

Manchester City were in the market for attacking midfield and wide forward talent during the previous summer transfer window, and ultimately secured recruits in both roles during the closing stages of the market.

Jeremy Doku arrived in a blockbuster move from French side Stade Rennais, while Matheus Nunes completed a deadline day switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers as the club came to terms with a long-term injury for Kevin De Bruyne at the time.

However, it now appears as though the club were presented with an opportunity to make an offer for one of Ange Postecoglou’s talents during the earlier stages of the summer window, during his time with Nottingham Forest.

Such details have come to light following Forest’s four-point deduction for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, after an independent commission found their losses to 2022/23 breached the threshold of £61 million by £34.5 million.

According to fresh documentation emerging this week, it has been revealed that Manchester City were among a number of clubs to have held conversation with Nottingham Forest over Brennan Johnson during the last summer transfer window.

“Forest was aware that Player A (Brennan Johnson) was in the process of changing agents (which was completed only on 4 July 2023), which made an early deal more difficult,” according to documentation.

“However, Forest continued to seek out buyers for Player A in June 2023, engaging with Unique Sports Management (Player A’s new agents), Brentford, Spurs, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Atletico (Madrid).

“Forest submitted that by 30 June 2023, it had made every effort fo generate a formal offer for Player A but none had been received at that stage that were capable of being completed in time.”

Johnson has gone on to start life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in commendable fashion, scoring four goals and providing six assists across his 28 appearances in all competitions at the North London side.