This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Brennan Johnson has burst onto the scene at Nottingham Forest and plenty of teams are sitting up and taking notice, with the player now attracting interest from Brentford.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the side tabled a huge 'record-breaking' bid that would see both clubs make history if a deal was done but Steve Cooper's side have turned it down and said they won't part ways with the young talent this month.

The Bees have been big admirers in the player for a while and their interest might not let up but even a mega-money offer has not convinced Forest to do business - and that could mean he stays on at the City Ground beyond this month.

If that is the case, then it would be great news for fans of the Championship side. However, have the club made the right call in turning down such a big offer? Or should they cash-in while they can? Here is the verdict from some of our writers...

Declan Harte

It takes a lot to turn down the kind of offers that Forest received for Johnson. However, this is definitely the right call for the club to make.

That the decision makers are unanimous in choosing this option is also great, as it shows the club is working together with the same goals in mind.

Johnson has been superb for Forest this season and losing that midway through the campaign could really make the team suffer.

The club needs to go all-in on pushing for the play-off places and Steve Cooper deserves the backing given how impressive he has done since arriving in September.

If Johnson continues to perform then clubs will no doubt be in for him again in the Summer, where it will also be much easier to find a potential replacement for the winger. Holding on to him now makes the most sense.

 

 

Billy Mulley

I think Nottingham Forest have made the correct decision to reject the latest 'club record' bid for Brennan Johnson.

The young winger is growing in influence and stature this season, proving to be one of the top performers amongst a squad full of emerging talent.

He is undoubtedly a Premier League player making and he could quite easily make the step up to England's top-tier this season, however, he will also be an instrumental part to Forest's continued push for the play-offs.

Ultimately, he is a player that could be a big difference between promotion and narrowly missing out, and whilst the money would be excellent for Forest, it would be a massive gamble to weaken the squad ahead of a vital few months.

Johnson is one of the most exciting prospects in the country and it is no surprise to see higher level interest, whilst it would be no surprise to see yet another top-tier bid in what remains of thus window.

Toby Wilding

This does feel like a smart move for Nottingham Forest to make in the circumstances.

While Brentford would clearly be paying a lot for Johnson, Forest would earn a lot more by winning promotion to the Premier League this season, and given how good he has been this season, keeping the winger beyond this month increases their chances of doing that considerably.

Indeed, Forest also know that with 18 months remaining on Johnson's contract at The City Ground, there is no risk of them losing him for free any time soon, if they do not sell him before the January window closes.

As a result, given the morale boost that keeping Johnson amid that interest will give players and fans alike heading into the final few months of the campaign, this looks like being the right decision for Forest to make, and one that will no doubt provide a big lift to their hopes of promotion this season.