Chelsea has shifted its focus to Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson after Michael Olise‘s unexpected decision to sign a new contract with Crystal Palace, News About Nigeria reports.
Initially, Chelsea had secured an agreement to sign Olise from Crystal Palace by triggering his release clause. However, Olise has decided to extend his stay at Selhurst Park, agreeing to a four-year contract with the club.
The decision of the Frenchman to sign a new contract at Palace has left plenty in shock, including Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly, also disappointed not to get his top target in Olise, who provided 11 assists last season in the Premier League.
No other 21-year-old across Europe’s top five leagues had set up so many goals as Olise in the previous season.
Quick to adapt, Chelsea is now setting its sights on Nottingham Forest’s Johnson as an alternative transfer option. Preliminary discussions have taken place between The Blues and Nottingham Forest regarding a potential move.
The 22-year-old Johnson has been a subject of transfer speculation throughout the summer, with Brentford expressing interest in signing him.
Despite an offer reported to be around £40 million, Nottingham Forest rejected Brentford’s bid for Johnson.
Chelsea’s interest in Johnson stems from his impressive performances last season. He showcased his talents by playing in every game for Nottingham Forest during the previous Premier League campaign, netting eight goals and providing three assists.
While the loss of Olise might have been disappointing for Chelsea, Brennan Johnson’s potential acquisition offers a new opportunity for the club.
Johnson’s versatility and strong performances on the pitch have marked him as a rising star in the English league.
