CHELSEA are in talks to sign Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson, according to reports.
It comes after Michael Olise turned down a move to Stamford Bridge and instead penned a new four-year deal with Crystal Palace.
Nottingham Forest want £45million for Brennan JohnsonEPA
Michael Olise turned down a move to Chelsea in favour of signing a new contract with Crystal PalaceGetty
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be keen on bolstering his forward line and likes the look of Johnson.
But it will cost Chelsea £45million to tempt Forest into a deal, according to The Guardian.
Chelsea have made contact and discussions are at an early stage but have covered the possibility of a player being offered by the Blues in exchange.
Tottenham are also interested in signing Johnson while Brentford are believed to have had a £35m bid turned down this summer.
Johnson has three years remaining on his contract and was a key man in The Reds’ survival last term.
He scored eight goals in his debut Premier League season and has scored 29 goals in 106 appearances for Forest.
That has sparked interest from Chelsea who could be prepared to spend big once again after failing to land Olise despite activating his £35m buyout clause.
They are in talks with Newcastle over a possible £28m sale of Lewis Hall, which will ease the West Londoners’ financial fair play concerns and allow them to continue spending.
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Chelsea have spent around £360million this summer with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia the latest to arrive.
The club is still keen to offload the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Marc Cucurella, while outcast Hakim Ziyech is closing in on a move to Galatasaray.
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