Brennan Johnson has caught the attention of numerous Premier League rivals. Photo: Getty Images/Clive Mason
Aston Villa have earned £30m for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby and are considering a bid for Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson.
Villa's opening bid for Diaby was rejected by the Leverkusen club, but talks are ongoing over a potential deal with the French international.
Diaby, 24, is well known to Villa manager Unai Emery from their time at Paris Saint-Germain and it is clear that there is a degree of confidence in the deal.
Emery targets attacking players in ahead of his first full season and Forest Wales international Johnson is also becoming a viable option.
Forest values the 22-year-old Johnson at over £50m, but Villa thinks they can settle. board at a lower price. Last month, Forest turned down a £30m offer from Brentford to sign Johnson.
Lucas Digne, the Villa left-back, was mentioned during the initial talks between the two clubs and Forest is showing interest as they are looking for reinforcements in this position.
Can Lucas Digne be used in the Brennan Johnson deal? Photo: Getty Images/Neville Williams
Renan Lodi returned to Atlético Madrid after a loan spell last season, while there is uncertainty over the future of Harry Toffolo after he was charged with 375 alleged violations of gambling laws by the Football Association.
Ding may be leaving Villa after signing Alex Moreno in January, but at this stage his wages of around £120,000 a week are proving prohibitive.
Forest needs Tink to agree to a pay cut to push through the move, or try to negotiate a season-long loan deal, which is not an ideal scenario for either club.
Moreno also doubts he can get the start of the season following recent surgery for a hamstring injury.
Fulham striker Willian is another target for Forest and a decision on his future could be made in the next 24 hours. Forest has offered Willian a two-year contract, which is 12 months longer than the Fulham contract, but there is still a chance he will stay at Craven Cottage.
Forest is also in talks. with PSV Eindhoven over defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, who was reported last year to be the club's long-term target.
Sangare has a release clause of around £31.6m at the Eredivisie club, and has interest from clubs across Europe.
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is Forest's No. 1 target in this position, with Wolves' José Sa another option.
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