Balogun linked but could be closer to Gunners’ first team
JOHNSON MAY BE A NEWCASTLE TARGET
PIERRE-EMERICK Aubameyang’s situation at Arsenal could impact Nottingham Forest’s bid to sign Folarin Balogun in the January transfer window.
According to the Athletic, the Reds are big admirers of Balogun and Aston Villa’s Keinan Davis as they look at options capable of bolstering their attack for the second half of the season.
Head coach Steve Cooper has been tipped to sign a striker, with Forest having marched to seventh in the Championship table, sparking hope of a push for promotion.
They have also been linked with a move for Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster, although the former Liverpool forward is currently recovering from a hamstring problem.
But the Athletic say that Balogun is a player Forest “really like”, with the 20-year-old having made six appearances for the club this season, two of which have come in the Premier League.
However, it is claimed that Aubameyang’s situation, having been stripped of the club captaincy following a breach of club discipline, could propel Balogun closer to the first team.
Top goalscorer Lewis Grabban has been in fine form, having scored and assisted in each of the Reds‘ last two outings, and is one of just six players with a double-figure goal tally in the Championship this season.
But aside from the 33-year-old, options are few and far between up front, with the other recognised centre forward at the club, Lyle Taylor, registering just three goals as Grabban’s understudy and none since an October brace away against Bristol City.
A number of forwards have been linked to the City Ground ahead of the transfer window reopening in the New Year, with Cooper’s reported “want” for a temporary addition in this area a strong rumour heading into the winter.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United are said to be among a string of Premier League clubs weighing up a move for Forest’s highly-rated Wales international Brennan Johnson.
Everton, West Ham United, Tottenham
Hotspur and Brentford are also said to be monitoring the Reds attacker who has scored five goals and registered five assists for the Reds this season. But struggling Newcastle, the richest club in the world after their Saudi-led takeover, are reportedly among the front-runners as they look to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Newcastle are expected to spend big in the January window to avoid returning to the Championship in what has been a dismal campaign at St James’s Park so far.
The Magpies have done business with Forest before, having signed Jamal Lascelles, Karl Darlow and Jermaine Jenas among previous deals.