According to an article in The Mail young striker Ben Brereton appeared to catch Arsenal by surprise in Nottingham Forest’s resounding FA Cup victory. But he really should not have done.
The article says Premier League clubs have been monitoring the 18-year-old striker since he broke into the Forest first team last season and then emerged as top scorer at the European Under-19 Championship for England.
Tottenham amongst others have regularly sent scouts to watch Brereton and the interest is only likely to rise after a mature display against Arsene Wenger’s hapless side.
The article goes on to say Forest’s track record at producing senior players from their academy is exemplary including five in the side that beat Arsenal so resoundingly, Brereton joined by Joe Worrall, Matty Cash, Jordan Smith, and Ben Osborn. Tyler Walker came off the bench.
It adds that Worrall is another on the radar of Premier League clubs, with Burnley and Palace monitoring his development and Forest are no strangers to cashing in, notably when selling Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles to Newcastle for a combined £6million in 2014, and Oliver Burke to RB Leipzig for £15m in 2016.
However it says with new ownership who are not in need of financial assistance like the previous regime and any offers for the club’s latest young talents would need to reflect the current market.
It adds how Brereton may only have 38 first-team games to his name but because of his position and vast potential, money equivalent to Burke’s transfer fee is said to be the approximate valuation and also in June, Brereton signed a new contract to 2021, his wages rising in recognition of his status as a regular Championship player, so Forest are protected.
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‘For any centre-half Ben Brereton would be very hard to play against, when he is in that mood,’ said Gary Brazil, Forest’s caretaker manager
He added:”Because of Daryl’s [Murphy] injury, he has had a chance to go down the middle. Everyone in the academy knows that type of performance is something Ben is capable of.
When he runs in behind, rather than going to feet, he is a handful. It can be hard for people to get up with him, because he is so quick. He caused them enormous problems.”
So what is your opinion on this, did you watch him play against Arsenal. He’s certainly a confident young man, and would be a good asset. Perhaps his development would be better aided staying at Forest for the time being.
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