Championship - Boro determined to keep Johnson

PA Sport - Tue, 03 Nov 18:10:00 2009

Middlesbrough have signalled their intention to keep hold of winger Adam Johnson beyond the terms of his current contract.

2009-10 Championship Middlesbrough Adam Johnson (PA Photos) - 0

The 22-year-old winger has taken over Stewart Downing's mantle since the England international's summer departure for Aston Villa, and is Boro's leading scorer this season with nine goals to date.

However, his existing deal is due to run out at the end of the campaign and talks over an extension have yet to pay dividends but chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We have had no approach from Sunderland, nor would we welcome one. Adam is a Middlesbrough player and we want him to stay."

Sunderland-born Johnson, who will be able to talk to other clubs in January, has attracted the attention of a series of suitors - with the Black Cats and Everton among those to have run the rule over him.

But amid speculation that Steve Bruce is ready to firm up his interest with a £3million bid for the England Under-21 international when the transfer window opens in January, Boro are refusing to give up on one of their most successful Academy graduates.

Johnson has started all 16 of Boro's game to date this season, and passed up an opportunity to claim his 10th goal when he missed a penalty in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Plymouth.

PA Sport

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  1. boro should try and keep him but pay no more than £9m.­ if we were going to keep him he wants to be told to try­ and take people on more down the left and use his­ pace.up to now bennet is doing his job i think.he is­ only young and he will get alot of experience so boro­ should try and keep him as long as they can.

    From luke_sutton97, on Wed 4 Nov 7:55PM

  2. I hope Johson sees a prospective bid of £3m as an­ insult to his talent and I agree with jlwebber £6m is­ nearer although perhaps £7.5m - £8m would be a truer­ reflection. So Boro Management have to do some sums and­ work out how much it would cost to replace him and­ offer him a suitable deal to keep him. Talentwise he­ deserves to be the highest earner, at least no one­ should be higher. He could have a clause built in to­ his contract that if a club bid say £8m for him he­ could go.
    It all depends on whther Boro go back to the­ EPL at the end of this season of course.

    From kht20, on Wed 4 Nov 10:14AM

  3. I think Boro could win this one although it will depend­ on how keen the powers that be are to make a cash­ settlement. also the going rate will be nearer to 6m­ and that might deter so called interest.

    From jlwebber, on Tue 3 Nov 8:04PM

  4. Sorry but i'm afraid when Brucey Boy comes waving­ his chequebook, he's off!
    A step backwards i know,­ but he is only a young lad, too daft to know any better­ really.

    From cameron w, on Tue 3 Nov 6:35PM
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