Sunderland, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and QPR could all show an interest in signing the tricky winger.–
It has been widely reported that Roberto Mancini is ready to cast off winger Adam Johnson as part of his rebuilding strategy in the summer.
Despite having a run of games in the first team earlier this year, he has been left out of late and has been unsettled through much of his City tenure.
Now 24, his lack of regular first team football has harmed his international chances, as he remains a fringe player in the England set up. Here are five teams who could all show an interest if Johnson is indeed put up for sale…
Sunderland
The Black Cats have already been linked with a deal which would bring Johnson back to the North East. He was signed from Sunderland’s rivals Middlesborough in 2010 and may fancy a move back to the region where his career took off. Sunderland are an ambitious club and Martin O’Neill is determined to lift them as high as possible, no doubt inspired by Newcastle’s ascent towards the top four. Sunderland have been big spenders in recent years and would not balk at a potential £10 million price tag. Johnson is proven quality and for that price would be a bargain.
Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish loves buying young British talent, which has been a dividing issue among many Liverpool fans. Adam Johnson though is a winger of great quality and a certain step up from Stewart Downing if the club could just offload him. Johnson would love to have the first team opportunities Downing has enjoyed this year, and would come at half the price. A long-standing Liverpool problem has been width and Johnson seems an obvious target.
Tottenham
How Tottenham could do with Adam Johnson right now. Aaron Lennon has suffered badly with injuries this season, exposing a lack of cover for him on the right, leaving the Spurs side badly unbalanced. Johnson would be a great option for the club and a bargain price. One sticking point may be City’s reluctance to sell to a club who were title challengers as recently as a couple of months ago. They attracted flak for loaning them Adebayor and may prefer to sell Johnson to a club which is not considered a main competitor.
Everton
Everton would fit the bill of a club City would be happy to sell to just perfectly, even if they have been somewhat of a bogey side for them in past seasons. The Mail have reported that David Moyes is interested, but the main issue here is if Everton are willing to spend £10 million on one player. Even if they are able to raise the finances to do the deal, such an outlay on one individual could leave Everton short in other areas. The wing is an area where they would like to strengthen though, recently selling Diniyar Bilayetdinov to Spartak Moscow.
QPR
We include QPR very much with an asterisk, with a deal dependent if they stay up. If not forget it, but after beating Swansea last night things are looking good. QPR are an ambitious side, and have spent big this season, signing Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City. Johnson’s acquisition would be a clear indication of their plans to climb the table next season. Mark Hughes just missed out on working with Johnson when he was at City, but will see him as a shrewd purchase if he can persuade him to join.
Where do you think Johnson should go?
image: © p_a_h
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