Steve Cooper has refused to confirm that Brennan Johnson will remain at Nottingham Forest, admitting that he is taking things ‘day-to-day’ with the forward at the moment.
The speculation linking Johnson with a move to Tottenham has intensified considerably over the last few days, with The Times reporting earlier this week that Spurs have moved into pole position to sign him ahead of Chelsea as the player prefers to join the Lilywhites over their London rivals.
The publication also added that Forest are now increasingly resigned to the 22-year-old leaving the club before the transfer deadline.
However, The Independent revealed on Thursday that as things stand, there is still quite a distance between Tottenham and Forests’ valuation of the Welshman, with the Reds refusing to lower their £40m asking price for the youngster.
Steve Cooper is relaxed on Johnson rumours
Cooper has now insisted that he is not paying attention to the speculation over Johnson’s future, insisting that he is not privy to any negotiations over the attacking midfielder.
When asked if there have been any new bids for the starlet, the Forest boss said (via The Metro): “I’m not sure, I don’t deal with that. I just deal with Brennan day-to-day.
“We’re talking a lot at the moment, but they’re normal conversations about performance and development and everything else that goes around him being at his best – or aiming to be at his best.
“That’s our plan and that’s what we do. And if we get told at some stage that things change – not just with him, with any of the players – then we’ll deal with it then.
“But I can imagine there is speculation around Brennan. I don’t pay attention to it myself. He’s a really talented young player and the exciting bit is that he’s got a lot more to come as well.
“We love working with him as a player, we love him as a boy and, like I say, day-to-day we’re really enjoying continuing to work with him and everybody else.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It could have been quite easy for Cooper to say that Johnson is part of his plans and that he expects the 22-year-old to stay unless something changes drastically.
The fact that he does not say that and is skirting around the issue, suggests that the Forest boss expects the Welshman to leave the club before next week’s transfer deadline.
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