Qudus SalihuIn a move that has sent shockwaves through the January transfer market, Aston Villa is reportedly preparing to “hijack” Crystal Palace’s move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson. While Palace had supposedly reached a £35 million agreement with Spurs earlier this week, formal talks between Villa and Johnson’s representatives have progressed with lightning speed, threatening to derail the London-centric deal at the eleventh hour.
The 24-year-old Wales international has become one of the most sought-after names this winter after falling out of favor under new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank. Despite scoring the winning goal in Spurs’ Europa League final triumph last season, Johnson has struggled for consistent minutes in the current campaign, starting just six Premier League matches. While Crystal Palace appeared to be the frontrunners, Villa’s sudden intervention has completely reframed the race.
Unai Emery is reportedly a massive admirer of Johnson’s pace and vertical threat, viewing him as the ideal addition to sustain Villa’s unlikely title charge. With the club looking to cut short Harvey Elliott’s loan from Liverpool, a vacancy has opened in the frontline that Emery wants filled immediately. Unlike Palace, who are battling in mid-table, Villa can offer Johnson Champions League football and the momentum of a team currently sitting just three points off the top of the table.
Sources close to the negotiations suggest that things are “moving quickly,” with Villa ready to match or exceed the £35 million fee agreed upon by Palace. For Johnson, the decision now rests on whether he prefers to remain in London or join the Emery revolution in the Midlands.
As the January window officially opens, the battle for Johnson’s signature has become the first major saga of 2026. If Villa can pull off this sensational hijack, it would represent another massive statement of intent from a club no longer content with just a top-four finish.
Rabiu Aminu
Qudus Salihu
