Rumour Mill: Johnson rakes it in, Babel to Turkey

Liverpool’s imminent first signing of the summer, Glen Johnson, will be one of the club’s highest earners, according to reports in this morning’s papers.

The Independent understands that Johnson will be earning himself £80,000 a week net-of-tax when he puts pen to paper on the move to Anfield.

As previously reported, Johnson’s £17m transfer fee is heavily subsidised by the fact that Portsmouth still owe the Reds £7m for the purchase of Peter Crouch last summer.

Meanwhile another way to finance the big money move for the England international right-back looks to be to offload Dutch winger Ryan Babel.

Frank Rijkaard, the new manager of Galatasaray, looks set to come in with an £8m offer for Babel who has had a frustrating time impressing Rafa Benitez since his £11.5m move from Ajax two years ago.

This morning’s Daily Mail says Rijkaard will attempt to convince Babel for a fresh start in Turkey to rejuvenate his career.

The paper also report that a £2m bid for Portsmouth defender Silvain Distin has been launched by Liverpool, with Aston Villa also said to be interested in the 31 year old.