Crystal Palace are reportedly one of several Premier League clubs closely monitoring the situation of Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson.
What's the story?
According to Football League World, the Eagles have joined a number of other clubs in the race to acquire his signature.
Johnson's current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, and Forest manager Steve Cooper is believed to be playing an active role in the negotiations.
The report states that: "Football League World understand that Cooper is now involved in those attempts and is looking to convince Johnson to commit longer term.
"There is Premier League interest still in the forward, though, after Brentford’s failed attempts to sign him in the summer. Everton, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion are keeping close tabs on him."
Parish must seal a swoop
After rising through the ranks at his boyhood club, Johnson enjoyed a successful loan spell at League One outfit Lincoln City last term.
The youngster played a pivotal part as Michael Appleton’s Imps reached the third-tier play-off final in 2020/21, bagging 13 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 appearances.
And Johnson has carried his good form into the Championship during the opening weeks of the current campaign, finding the back of the net on three occasions and laying on a further three assists in 15 outings.
He's starred in a more attacking system under Cooper in recent weeks, and a particularly impressive performance against Queens Park Rangers last time out caught the eye of former striker Glenn Murray.
“For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above, and he’s destined for the top," Murray told Sky Sports (as relayed by Nottingham Forest News).
“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment, but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”
With Johnson fast approaching the end of his contract, and Palace in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, Steve Parish must swoop for the Wales international over the coming months.
His addition to Patrick Vieira's new-look squad would bolster the capital club's ranks in the final third of the pitch and add even more firepower to an already dangerous forward line. Just imagine the thought of him and Wilfried Zaha running rampant with Odsonne Edouard in attack.
It's an enthralling thought for Palace supporters.
And, in other news...Parish must revive CPFC interest in “extraordinary” £10.8m-rated gem, Vieira needs him