Portsmouth chairman Peter Storrie has confirmed to Setanta Sports News the club has received a ‘couple of offers’ for defender Glen Johnson, one being from a top four side.
The England international has been linked with Liverpool for some time, former club Chelsea, and even Manchester City, and the value of the offer is believed to be between £15m and £20m.
Storrie refused to confirm who the offer was made by, and said the South Coast side would not deny their player the opportunity of playing Champions League football.
“We have had a couple of offers,” Storrie told Setanta Sports News. “We will evaluate them next week and talk to Glen about them.
“We’ve already said we understand the situation if he got the opportunity to play for a club in the Champions League. That’s understandable and all players want to do that. Glen is such a nice guy, we wouldn’t stand in his way providing the bid’s of a level we want.”
Storrie continued: “Glen’s had a fantastic season and is one of the best right-backs in the country. He’s cemented his place in the England team and obviously the World Cup’s coming up now. He’ll want the experience of playing in the Champions League.”
Asked whether he expected Pompey fans to understand the logic behind the sale of the player, Storrie said he was confident they would.
“I think they will. I think they understand the situation; we’re not in the Champions League or Europe,” he said. “We hope to be in Europe again in the not too distant future. Looking at Glen and the way his career has developed I think they will understand.”
Johnson signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract in January, ending temporarily the speculation over a switch to Anfield.
However, with a confirmed bid now having been made it appears the path has been laid for an exit from Fratton Park, although Johnson’s destination remains to be seen.
The news comes on the same day Pompey refuted claims Thaksin Shinawatra is connected to the takeover of the club.