Steve Cooper’s side are pushing hard to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.

 

The Tricky Trees are keen on bringing in midfield reinforcements to the City Ground this summer and identified a host of targets, including Santos, Wilfred Ndidi and Tyler Adams.

 

 

 

They are poised to land Santos from the Blues on a temporary basis and are still likely to make moves for further midfield additions.

 

Chelsea, on the other hand, are keen on Nottingham Forest attacker Johnson and the Welsh forward is also a key target for Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

 

 

It has been suggested in some quarters that Chelsea could use Santos’ loan deal as leverage to pry away Johnson from the City Ground.

 

But it is claimed that the Brazilian’s loan deal to Cooper’s side has nothing to do with any potential deal for Johnson to Stamford Bridge.

 

 

Santos is also keen on playing regular football and if the deal is completed will be hoping to get a substantial playing time under Cooper.