Crystal Palace are planning to raid London rivals’ Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson in the January transfer window.
Tottenham Hotspur prioritised reinforcing the attacking unit in the summer, which led to the signings of Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani.
Kudus has been the most impactful out of the three attackers, bringing guile, unpredictability, and verve to Thomas Frank’s side. The Ghanaian international has been their creator-in-chief, cementing his place on the right flank. By doing so, he has demoted Brennan Johnson to the bench.
Brennan Johnson has produced several big moments for the north Londoners since his arrival from Nottingham Forest back in 2023, most notably popping up with the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao last season. The Wales international was Tottenham’s top scorer last season with 18 goals in all competitions, and he was expected to kick on under new boss Thomas Frank this term.
However, the 24-year-old has lost his place in the first XI, starting just four of Spurs’ 13 Premier League games. Brennan Johnson has only chipped in with two goals in the league, and his overall lack of impact in games have been telling.
Crystal Palace eye move for Brennan Johnson
Johnson is understood to have not fully convinced Frank and his coaching staff that he can cement a regular starting berth at Tottenham, and as a result, he could be set for an exit in 2026.
Now, according to a report from The Telegraph, Crystal Palace are plotting an ambitious move for Johnson when the transfer window reopens on January 1. The Eagles have identified the Tottenham man as one of their potential targets as they seek to add a new forward after the injury to Ismaila Sarr.
Sarr suffered an ankle ligament injury in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United last month and has subsequently missed the last three games. The Senegalese has been their most productive attacker, and losing him to an injury is a big blow. It remains to be seen whether he recovers in time to represent Senegal at the AFCON starting later this month in Morocco.
The aforementioned report adds that Oliver Glasner is pushing the club’s board to invest in the January transfer window as the Eagles continue to push for a European spot following a disappointing summer transfer window.
Brennan Johnson could be tempted by Palace call
If Johnson’s situation does not improve in N17, he could prefer a mid-season switch to London rivals Crystal Palace. The Welshman would certainly have more opportunities to start for the south Londoners, given they have a small squad, and with them challenging for a spot in Europe, the project appears enticing.
Tottenham, on their part, would not sanction the Nottingham-born star’s sale unless they’ve lined up an adequate replacement. And even if the Lilywhites decide to do so, they’d be aiming to recoup most of the £47.5million they paid to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023.
Johnson doesn’t really fit into Frank’s system as a creative and incisive winger, and if Tottenham intend to grow as an attacking unit under the Dane, they must sell him and get a decent fee amid Palace’s interest.
