Seal deal: Nottingham Forest to open contract talks with ‘special’ star
According to Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are looking to enter into contract negotiations with Serge Aurier, the Reds defender, who is out of contract in the summer of 2023/24 and the club are keen to keep him. It is understood that talks could be held before the New Year in order to prevent overseas clubs from entering pre-contract negotiations with him. Aurier has been in good form so far in 2023/24, scoring his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on New Year’s Day and
setting up both goals in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United. He has started all of the club’s Premier League games so far this season, having joined the club just over one year ago on a free transfer. Aurier made 28 appearances last season, helping the Reds to secure their Premier League survival. Throughout his career, Aurier has played Champions League football at Tottenham, PSG, and Villarreal.
Throughout his career, Aurier has been highly rated by Jose Mourinho, who described him as ‘unbelievable’ during his time in charge of him at Tottenham, not just in terms of his footballing skills but also in terms of his character. Forest are keen to discuss a new contract with Aurier, and it would certainly be a positive development for the club. Although they have Montiel, and Williams at their disposal, Aurier brings something special to the table when the Reds are playing with a three-quarters-
back formation. In addition, the experienced campaigner could also play on the right-hand side as a central defender, as he did last week against Burnley. It is clear that Steve Cooper has faith in Aurier, and he is still in good form, so adding another year to his deal would certainly be beneficial for Forest.
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Steve Cook raves about ‘extremely fast’ star he played with at Nottingham Forest
Former Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook has delivered his verdict on Brennan Johnson after his £47.5 million move to Tottenham Hotspur.
32-year-old Cook played with the winger during the club’s promotion season – the campaign in which Johnson burst onto the scene for Steve Cooper’s side.
Welsh international Johnson carried his Championship form into the Premier League, as he scored eight times, whilst contributing three assists in his maiden campaign in England’s top flight.
The now QPR centre-back spoke highly of the 22-year-old, admitting that he did superbly well to manage the expectations of the club and fans at such a young age.
Steve Cook on Brennan Johnson’s rapid rise
Speaking on the Garibaldi Red Podcast yesterday, Cook was full of praise for his former teammate, backing him to reach the very top of English football.
“He’s so young and so talented. Brennan [Johnson] is naturally extremely fast, a very good finisher and progressed a lot in a short space of time.
“It was a huge expectation on his shoulders for a young boy coming through having to score the goals to take us back to the Premier League is massive.
“He kind of just got on with it and I think when you can do that, you can manage them expectations better and grabbing the goals he scored last year just go to show what he’s capable of.
“He is a top player Brennan and he can be anything he wants to be. If he can get his head down he can go to the next level and be a regular at a top four or top six side.”
Forest academy graduate Johnson will be hoping to make his Spurs debut on Saturday, as his new side take on Sheffield United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
