Tottenham Hotspur pounce for 22-year-old who wants move - but they face competition from Chelsea: report

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to make a move for a 22-year-old forward who reportedly prefers a move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, but Chelsea are also interested and could be set to gazump their offer. 

Following the loss of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, Tottenham have failed to make a signing despite bringing in £86m from the big sale. Replacing 30 Premier League goals from last season certainly isn't easy, but Ange Postecoglou has identified someone who can grab goals for his team. 

Tottenham face competition for a key target from Chelsea, though, who continue to prove that money is no issue for them. £175m on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in recent weeks epitomise this, and the Blues clearly aren't finished in the transfer market as they target a forward of their own.

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According to The Independent, Tottenham want to sign Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, though the report states that Spurs are unwilling to match Forest's minimum valuation of £40m.

While Johnson seems to prefer a move to Tottenham, with personal terms not expected to be a problem, negotiations have found a compromise in valuation difficult.

Football London, meanwhile, is reporting that Chelsea are preparing to make a move for the 22-year-old as well. 

Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United at the City Ground, Nottingham on Friday 18th August 2023 - Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea target.

Spurs and Chelsea are both keen on Johnson (Image credit: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Chelsea could have the upper hand in negotiations, too, with The Times reporting that 19-year-old Blues midfielder Andrey Santos is set to join Nottingham Forest on loan for the season.

Ultimately, though, any potential deal relies on firstly matching Forest's valuation of Johnson, then latterly on exceeding what the other club offers, too.

Brentford have already had a £35m bid rejected for Johnson this summer transfer window, with Forest holding out for at least £40m. Transfermarkt values Johnson at £32.5m, after he scored eight goals and assisted a further three in his debut Premier League campaign last term. 

Tottenham and Chelsea target Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest in action during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ritchie Sumpter/Nottingham Forest FC via Getty Images)

Johnson has been a leading player for Forest since their return to the Premier League (Image credit: Getty Images)

More Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea stories

Spurs have been linked with a move for Chelsea misfit Romelu Lukaku this summer as a replacement for Harry Kane. Tottenham are also reportedly interested in 'the next Thierry Henry' to fill the gap left by their all-time record goalscorer, while Djed Spence has been linked with an exit this summer after making just four appearances since signing last summer.

Having already signed Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson in attack, the Blues have been linked with a sensational swoop for Kylian Mbappe

The reason why Chelsea are playing without a shirt sponsor has also been revealed. 

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.