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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits interest in Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson
Coveted youngster catches the eye of Italian...
29 Jan 2010 19:53:00
By Stephen Darwin
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that he rates Middlesbrough star Adam Johnson amid reports that the Eastlands club are close to sealing a deal for the England Under-21 midfielder.
Johnson has been in superlative form for Boro this season and having netted 12 goals already this term, a whole host of Premier League clubs are reportedly chasing his signature.
Reports even go as far as suggesting that City had tabled a £5 million bid for the 22-year-old although Middlesbrough will surely be hoping to receive a far greater sum for their prized asset.
Given that Johnson's contract expires in the summer, however, Gordan Strachan's side may be forced to cash in before the January transfer window closes on Monday or risk losing the player for nothing come the end of the season.
Despite Mancini admitting that he is an admirer of Johnson's talents, the Italian also claimed that he had a great deal of respect for the wishes of both the player and the Teeside club.
"He is a good, young player but we have respect for him and the club," he said, as quoted by skysports.com. "We will see."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, meanwhile, has also made known his interest in Johnson although admitted that the Black Cats are yet to have made a formal approach to Middlesbrough for the talented left-winger.
"We haven't made any bid for Adam Johnson," he said.
"It's fair to say we have had discussions with Middlesbrough, but we haven't put in any formal bid."
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Johnson has been in superlative form for Boro this season and having netted 12 goals already this term, a whole host of Premier League clubs are reportedly chasing his signature.
Reports even go as far as suggesting that City had tabled a £5 million bid for the 22-year-old although Middlesbrough will surely be hoping to receive a far greater sum for their prized asset.
Given that Johnson's contract expires in the summer, however, Gordan Strachan's side may be forced to cash in before the January transfer window closes on Monday or risk losing the player for nothing come the end of the season.
Despite Mancini admitting that he is an admirer of Johnson's talents, the Italian also claimed that he had a great deal of respect for the wishes of both the player and the Teeside club.
"He is a good, young player but we have respect for him and the club," he said, as quoted by skysports.com. "We will see."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, meanwhile, has also made known his interest in Johnson although admitted that the Black Cats are yet to have made a formal approach to Middlesbrough for the talented left-winger.
"We haven't made any bid for Adam Johnson," he said.
"It's fair to say we have had discussions with Middlesbrough, but we haven't put in any formal bid."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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