Leeds in 'great position' to bring £20m star to Elland Road

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch could make Nottingham Forest ace Brennan Johnson his ‘number one target’ if he succeeds in keeping the Elland Road outfit in the Premier League, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Marsch was appointed as the Whites’ boss in February and the American will be given the opportunity to add reinforcements to his squad ahead of his first full season at the helm.

According to MailOnline, Johnson is a summer target for Leeds if they maintain their top flight status and Nottingham Forest miss out on promotion from the Championship.

The report suggests the nine-cap Wales international is valued by his current employers at £20million and will be a prominent target as long as the Whites fend off relegation.

Leeds’ hopes of striking a deal could be bolstered by the fact Johnson’s Nottingham Forest contract has just over 12 months remaining.

However, it is understood that Brentford are also interested, having seen a £15million bid rejected in January, while Newcastle United are monitoring the winger’s situation.

This has been a breakthrough season for Johnson, who was described as ‘unbelievable’ by former Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi, as he has registered 16 goals and nine assists while establishing himself as one of the first names on the team-sheet.

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Jones has urged Leeds to make welcoming Johnson to Elland Road a priority ahead of the summer window opening for business.

However, the transfer insider insists a deal will only be possible if the Whites and Nottingham Forest remain in their current divisions.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “They should make him their number one