Friday 19 June 2009

Transfer Speculation: Glen Johnson

The press have surrounded the transfer of Glen Johnson with speculation, contradictions, rumour, gossip and probably a heap if fibs. The problem is how to sort the wheat from the chaff. If we were to believe today's news, Johnson has signed for a transfer fee of anything between £17-£19m, he's joined 'either' Liverpool or Chelsea, and he's had a medical last night or maybe this weekend. Here’s a breakdown of what the press are saying regarding the transfer today:

The Times
Peter Storrie, Portsmouth’s chief executive, said today: "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,” Storrie said. “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." The article added: "Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £18.5 million bid for Glen Johnson, increasing the possibility that Jose Bosingwa will leave the Londoners for Bayern Munich.”

Then elsewhere in the same paper it says:
“Glen Johnson was having a medical at Liverpool last night after a fee of up to £18.5 million was agreed with Portsmouth. Liverpool will pay about £5 million this summer, with the rest over the length of his contract, because they are owed about £7 million by Portsmouth from the sale of Peter Crouch last summer.”

The Express:
"Benitez is set to announce the £18million capture of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth after the player passed a medical yesterday."

"England right-back Glen Johnson will today complete an £18million move to Liverpool. The Portsmouth defender has gone through a secret medical after agreeing terms on a contract."

The Daily Star
“Chelsea last night hijacked Glen Johnson’s proposed £18.5m move to Liverpool.”

The Liverpool Echo
"Liverpool, however, remain confident that the £17m defender has made up his mind on a move to Anfield. He is expected to cut short a holiday to have a medical this weekend."

"Reports Chelsea matched Liverpool's bid are slightly awry. Chelsea were first to agree terms with Portsmouth a fortnight ago at £17m and Liverpool followed but the player still seems destined for Anfield. Chelsea are not totally out of the equation but the player is excited more by Liverpool's project and the chance to link up with Gerrard, Torres and Co."

Speaking of Torres, here's what he has to say on Johnson:

"We have total trust in the boss and we will trust whoever he brings in, but yes, Glen Johnson has had an excellent season," reports Sky Sports. Torres added: "He has established himself as the first-choice right back in what is now an England team playing very good football. He is used to playing top-four football, so there would be no issue about him making the step up."

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