Middlesbrough ‘home in on Oxford United winger Marvin Johnson with £2million offer’
But League One side expected to hold out for £3m as Johnson is subject to a sell-on fee to former club Motherwell
MIDDLESBROUGH are thought to have bid £2million for Oxford United winger Marvin Johnson.
But North-East sources say the League One club are holding out for £3m.
Johnson, who hasn't played since Oxford's 3-0 win over Portsmouth on August 12 due to hamstring trouble, has been in demand all summer.
Leicester City, Aston Villa and Birmingham City have all shown interest in the 26-year-old.
The U’s paid Motherwell £650,000 for Johnson last August and rejected offers in excess of £1m for him in the January window.
The Scottish side will get a cut of any sell-on which is why Oxford are looking to get as much as they can for their star player.
Johnson was a late developer and came through the ranks at Solihull Moors before moving on to Kidderminster Harriers in 2012.
Boro are also believed to be fighting Hull City for Brentford play-maker Jota.
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They have had an initial bid of around £4.5m plus add-ons rejected for the Spaniard, whom the Bees value at £8m.
But the tricky and elusive Johnson also fits Garry Monk's bill and it remains to be seen if he can prise him away.
Oxford chairman Darryl Eales admittted in his programme notes for Saturday's home draw with Shewsbury:
"We are a club that wants to develop players but we do accept that on occasion our progress as a club will not always match the aspirations of players.
"However, the interests of the club also remain central and that is why we have stressed the need for any outgoing transfers to be concluded as early as possible in the window.";