Tottenham Hotspur ‘prepare £50m’ deadline day swoop as Fulham ‘contact’ Man Utd over midfielder

Tottenham Hotspur are set to ‘focus’ on a deadline day deal for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson after missing out on a move for Ansu Fati.

The Barcelona forward is expected to be announced as a Brighton and Hove Albion player with Ange Postecoglou now set to turn his attention to Johnson.

The Evening Standard reports Forest are holding out for £50m for the Welsh international and appear firm in their stance after rejecting three bids from Brentford - the latest said to be worth £43m.

The report adds Spurs have offered players as part of a proposed deal but they are now set to submit an official bid ahead of Friday’s 11pm deadline.

Johnson, 22, came through the academy at Forest and made his senior debut in August 2019. He has played 109 times for the club, scoring 29 goals and providing 12 assists. He also had a loan spell at Lincoln City where he played 49 times, claiming 13 goals and 14 assists.

He played a key role in Forest’s promotion to the Premier League, scoring 18 goals in the 2021-22 season. He netted eight times and played in all 38 games as the City Ground outfit survived in their first season back in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Fulham have made contact with Manchester United over a move for midfielder Scott McTominay, according to Sky Sports.

The Cottagers could lose Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich before deadline day ends with the Bundesliga club keen to replace the outgoing Ryan Gravenberch with the Fulham midfielder. Bayern have agreed a deal with Liverpool for Gravnberch with the former Ajax player set to undergo a medical at Anfield on Friday.

Sky Sports add McTominay is one of a number of options being considered by Fulham. Bayern’s transfer window closes at 5pm with Palhinha valued at up to £80m following his £20m move from Sporting Lisbon last summer.