Brentford are considering making an improved offer to sign Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson this summer, in what could be a club-record deal.
The Bees had a bid in the region of £30m rejected last month, but could return for the Welsh winger, who was impressive in his debut Premier League campaign for Forest.
A report from the Standard has claimed that Forest want around £50m for the 22-year-old, but Brentford are considering testing the waters with another offer.
They are not the only team interested, and the bid will have to be substantially more than the £23m they paid Wolves for Nathan Collins earlier this summer.
Could Brentford sign Johnson?
The attacker scored 10 and assisted three times in 44 games across all competitions last season, with his dynamism upfront helping Forest avoid relegation.
Forest manager Steve Cooper once described Johnson as “fantastic,” and it seems unlikely that they will let him go to a Premier League rival without a fight.
He could be an outstanding signing for Thomas Frank if The Bees can pull it off, given that he can initially help replace Ivan Toney as a striker whilst he serves his ban.
His versatility, age and quality in the final third tick a lot of boxes for Brentford, and he would be worth paying a premium price. However, it seems unlikely that Brentford could stretch to a £50m deal unless Toney is sold this summer, and it remains to be seen whether Forest will want to let such a crucial player leave.
Johnson was impressive in both the Premier League and the Championship, and has notched up 29 goals and 12 assists in 105 games for Forest. He would arrive as someone who could slot straight into the side, and could be a long-term option for Brentford, whilst also retaining a high resale value.