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Reds face competition for Johnson

Fri 19 Jun, 03:32 PM


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's summer plans may not be as straightforward as he would have wanted as it seems he faces another transfer battle.

Having spent the last couple of weeks fending off interest in midfielders Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano from Real Madrid and Barcelona, it now appears Chelsea are competing for the signature of Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson.

Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie said: "The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen."

The Merseysiders were in pole position to bring in the England international for a fee, which includes money still owed to them from the transfer of Peter Crouch to Pompey, believed to be around £17million.

However, with Fratton Park chairman Storrie confirming a second club, understood to be Johnson's former side Chelsea, had lodged an identical bid there is now serious competition for the 24-year-old's signature.

Having seen Gareth Barry, Benitez's number one transfer target last summer, complete a surprise move to Manchester City earlier this month the Liverpool boss will not want to be pipped at the post again. Liverpool remain confident they are Johnson's preferred choice and it has been reported the player is to cut short a holiday to have a medical over the weekend.

Storrie added: "The deals are almost identical so it really is down to him and what club he prefers, which one is going to pay him more money."

With Madrid's interest in Alonso seemingly still alive and Barcelona reportedly considering a move for Jose Reina to replace goalkeeper Victor Valdes, signing Johnson would be a welcome relief for Benitez.

At least he can rely on star striker Fernando Torres, who signed an improved contract last month. The Spain international also believes much of the speculation about his club-mates, although unsettling, will not be too damaging.

"A lot of players committed themselves to Liverpool this summer with new contracts and players don't do that unless they think they can have their ambitions met," he said. "There is a lot of belief at the club and a lot of trust in the manager. I'm very happy with my contract at Liverpool and wouldn't leave just to earn a little more somewhere else where I wouldn't be that happy."

 

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. come on liverpool buy johnson and sell dosenna nd buy a­ new winger instead of riera.Torres is doing fine by­ himself up striker...........................

    From shanecoughlan98, on Sat 20 Jun 10:37AM

  2. Chelsea don't want Johnson they just want to put a­ spanner in the works &F^@K:**'rs

    From bryjones71, on Sat 20 Jun 9:19AM

  3. ManU are the masters at going a long time without­ winning a title post 13, its not nice but it happens in­ football,you cant always have things your own way no­ matter what team you support!
    Liverpool will win the­ EPL next season!

    From bryjones71, on Sat 20 Jun 9:16AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    One good season for liverpool in 19 year! And now there­ gona win the EPL? lmao dear o dear

    From JACK, on Fri 19 Jun 8:28PM

  5. we do not need a fullback but a good striker to play­ with torres
    but johnson is agood winger

    From David, on Fri 19 Jun 7:42PM

  6. much rather see money spent on micah richards and a­ decent attacking winger dont think we really need­ another striker as kuyt did well when playing through­ the middle last season
    ­ reina,
    RICHARDS? , carra , skertl ,­ agger
    SIMOA / VALENCIA?, mashcerano , alonso , YOUNG ?­
    gerrard,
    ­ torres
    funds raised with­ dossena/arbeloa,benayoun and babel(think he's given­ up hope and just waiting for his contract to run out)

    From eye8mancs, on Fri 19 Jun 6:32PM

  7. i found a good young wing back
    castro of bayer­ leverkusen
    germany u21 player

    From Radhi, on Fri 19 Jun 4:51PM

  8. £17 million for johnson!!! 1 year after pompy paid £4­ million!! he is an ok player but it just goes to show­ why managers in britain buy abroad! arbeloa is as good­ if not better than johnson! rafa i implore you to­ spend the money on other players as he will not improve­ the team! a striker, a winger would be the better­ option! if not silva then johnson (boro's winger) ­ if not villa then someone who will improve the team! we­ have players already there that improve the squad! we­ need team improvement!

    From Gareth, on Fri 19 Jun 4:48PM

  9. 1ce beaten 2ice shy.Johnson should remember how he was­ maltreated while at Chelsea and have a think.Mighty­ Reds should be his wise option.A word to a wise is­ plenty

    From Michael, on Fri 19 Jun 4:31PM

  10. This the constant rubbish you find here if you can not­ have a sensible debate why do you bother at all, mind­ you your more than likely only 8 years of age.

    From David, on Fri 19 Jun 4:18PM

  11. at least we can rely on the best striker in the world­ to be faithfull a rare quality in football these­ days!!!!

    From joseph, on Fri 19 Jun 4:15PM

  12. glen johnson is not worth the kind of money liverpool­ wants to pay, moreover we need a right sided winger and­ a good striker to play alongside torres. benitez is­ getting things wrong once again in the transfer market.­ what happened to the likes of david silva, benzema, ben­ arfa, robben.

    From sylvester, on Fri 19 Jun 4:12PM

  13. go liverpool johnson at least you will get played­ instead of being benched at chelsea. Liverpool to win­ this season man utd struggle without ronaldo and­ newcastle to get promoted with shearer showing what a­ manager is all about as long as he gets the chance­ too.GO LIVERPOOL

    From CLARE, on Fri 19 Jun 4:09PM

  14. hope johnson come to liverpool :-)
    liverpool shall win­ the premier league!

    From G&T, on Fri 19 Jun 4:09PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    WAKE UP

    From stephen.mcgahan, on Fri 19 Jun 4:07PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    liverpool are @#$%

    From h.begum77, on Fri 19 Jun 4:05PM
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