Celtic and Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign Oxford United star Marvin Johnson.
Marvin Johnson scores for Motherwell
According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic have joined the race to sign Oxford United winger Marvin Johnson – and The Sun claim that Manchester City are also monitoring him.
Johnson, 26, was playing non-league football with the likes of Solihull Moors, Coleshill Town, Romulus, Kidderminster Harriers and Hednesford Town before heading to Motherwell in January 2015.
After 11 goals in 64 games for the Scottish Premiership side, Oxford United paid a club-record fee to land Johnson last summer upon their promotion to League One – and their money has been well spent.
Johnson has impressed both as a winger and in his new role as a left back, notching three goals and six assists in League One to trigger major interest in his signature.
The Sun claim that whilst Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion are all looking to sign the Birmingham-born ace, Leicester City and Manchester City have been scouting him too, with Pep Guardiola potentially lining up a shock move for Johnson.
The Scottish Sun add that Celtic are also keen on Johnson, and could offer him a return to Scottish football after just a year away from Motherwell.
Oxford United’s Marvin Johnson and AFC Wimbledon’s Barry Fuller in action
Landing a hometown star like Johnson would be appealing to Villa and Birmingham, and probably to Johnson himself too, but Celtic and City will be tough to turn down.
Celtic may need a left back should Kieran Tierney leave the club this summer, whilst his ability to play further forward would also come in handy given that winger Patrick Roberts is set to head back to Manchester City upon the expiration of his loan deal.
It’s unclear just why City have been looking at Johnson, as whilst Guardiola does need a left back, League One ace Johnson doesn’t exactly fit their profile – and he could be a signing geared towards being loaned out and sold on, much like midfielder Aaron Mooy.
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