According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea were “this close” to signing Brennan Johnson before Tottenham Hotspur.
The 22-year-old was reportedly Ange Postecoglou’s main attacking target from the start when Spurs paid Nottingham Forest £47.5 million to get Johnson on transfer deadline day (Telegraph).
During the last week of the transfer window, Chelsea was also rumoured to be interested in signing the Wales international, but a number of reports indicated that the player preferred signing with Spurs because he believed he would have a much better chance of seeing regular action there (Times).
Chelsea and Brennan Johnson to an agreement.
According to Foot Mercato’s most recent update, Chelsea was considerably closer to acquiring Johnson than previously anticipated.
The publication says that at one point during the transfer window, the west London side even reached an agreement with Forest over a deal to buy the striker, which would have led Callum Hudson-Odoi to go the opposite way.
However, the deal ultimately fell through, as Hudson-Odoi went to the City Ground for a cash deal that would allow Spurs to sign Johnson.
Spurs web opinion
I’m not surprised Pochettino wants Johnson, but with Chelsea having signed various midfielders over the summer, the 22-year-old may have doubts about getting any playing time at Stamford Bridge.
I do believe that the Wales international’s decision to sign with Spurs—which may have been influenced by his meeting with Ange—played a significant impact in our ability to outbid other teams for his services.
