Reds set to sign Johnson

Liverpool are set to make right-back Glen Johnson their first signing of the summer, according to reports this Tuesday afternoon.

The Liverpool Echo and BBC Sport suggest Portsmouth have accepted a bid in the region of £17m for the England international and Johnson has told his current club he wishes to sign for Liverpool.

Johnson, 24, has also been wanted by his former club Chelsea and money-rich Man City, but his preferred destination is Anfield, according to the Echo.

The actual amount paid for Johnson will be much less than the £17m though due to installments still required to be paid for Peter Crouch after his move in the opposite direction last summer.

Furthermore, Rafa Benitez is expected to sell Andrea Dossena to cover most of the cost and if he chooses to allow current first choice right-back Alvaro Arbeloa to leave, Benitez will actually have covered more than the cost of Johnson.

Glen Johnson Factfile
Position: Right back
Nationality: English
Age: 24
Former clubs: West Ham (2001-03), Chelsea (2003-07), Portsmouth (2007 – today)
Total league appearances: 139 (9 goals)
International caps: 15

*Image courtesy of Dilip Ramachandran