Sky Sports pundit makes transfer claim involving influential Nottingham Forest duo

Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff has admitted that he believes that Nottingham Forest’s ability to keep Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson at the City Ground during the previous transfer window was the best bit of business in the Football League.

After producing an eye-catching display against Arsenal in the FA Cup, Spence was recently linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

According to a report from 90min, Spurs had two late bids rejected by Spence’s parent-club Middlesbrough who opted against cashing in on him.

Boro boss Chris Wilder briefly considered recalling the full-back from his loan spell at Forest before deciding to allow the defender to prolong his stay with Steve Cooper’s side due to the form illustrated by Isaiah Jones.

Johnson meanwhile has recently been the subject of a great deal of interest from Brentford.

As per a report from The Telegraph journalist John Percy, Forest opted to reject a club record offer for the winger from the Bees last month.

Making reference to Spence and Johnson, McAnuff has suggested that this particular duo could prove to be the difference in Forest’s push for a play-off place this season.

Speaking on the latest edition of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast, McAnuff said: “We look at clubs and January business and signings come in, I think keeping hold certainly of Djed Spence and not say allowing him to go back but Middlesbrough not recalling him and also keeping hold of Brennan Johnson are the two best bits of business I would say in the EFL.

“I think they could really prove to be the difference between Nottingham Forest getting into those play-offs or not.”

The Verdict

It is hard to disagree with McAnuff’s comments as Spence and Johnson have both managed to produce some excellent