Aston Villa are interested in signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur
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Aston Villa may need to prepare their transfer approach quickly once the January window opens, as they face competition for one of their winter targets.
Brennan Johnson, who is struggling for regular minutes at Tottenham Hotspur, has emerged as a 2026 target for Villa but naturally, they aren’t the only club in the picture.
Crystal Palace are eager to sign the winger in January but TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Aston Villa have ‘made contact’ with Johnson’s representatives regarding their own potential move.
The report claims the Villans have targeted the former Nottingham Forest star to add ‘pace and versatility’ to their frontline. This update comes amid reports that Harvey Elliott will be sent back to Liverpool next month, having failed to make an impact at Villa Park.
Elliott joined the club on loan over the summer with an obligation to buy clause inserted in the deal. However, having been ditched from Emery’s plans since October, his time at Villa Park is drawing to an early close.
Aston Villa face stiff competition for Brennan Johnson
Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness believes Johnson’s exit from Tottenham is coming soon. Speaking to Football Insider, the Scottish businessman has weighed in on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Johnson, along with interest from other clubs, including Championship side and promotion candidates Ipswich Town.
“I think Palace is a real option for him, and I think the one that’s making all the positive noise is Ipswich because they’ve had a real good run recently back up into the promotion places, at least the play-offs, in the Championship,” Wyness said.
“So yes, I think Brendan Johnson could be for Palace. I think he’s a talent. He’s been a little bit inconsistent at Spurs. But you know he’ll be looking as well as whether Glasner will be there or not. So that could make a decision for him as well.
“Whereas it does seem Kieran McKenna is still remaining loyal at Ipswich, and so we’ll see where that goes.”
Aston Villa target Brennan Johnson expected to leave ‘fairly soon’
Johnson joined Spurs two years ago in a £47.5 million move from Nottingham Forest. However, since his arrival, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.
The 24-year-old has made just six Premier League starts this season. He’s also been limited to cameos of ten minutes or less on four occasions, while failing to make it off the bench twice.
Wyness believes Johnson needs a move where he will be encouraged in a reliable role, rather than his current situation as a rotational player at Spurs.
“As a young player, I think he seems to be a confident striker that needs that arm around the shoulder. And so he’ll be making a decision based on that,” the ex-Villa chief continued.
“But certainly I think Palace. I also heard Brentford, but I do think that Palace and Ipswich are the two front-runners. I expect him to move fairly soon.”
While other clubs have been favoured ahead of Aston Villa, it will all boil down to who presents the best personal offer that will benefit Johnson’s career moving forwards. The TEAMtalk report from this week suggests that Tottenham would be open to a sale if interested clubs can reach their valuation, which is said to be between £30-40 million.