Rumour Mill: Johnson signing imminent

Liverpool will complete an £18.5m deal for Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson in the next few days, according to reports in this morning’s papers.

It is understood that the Reds have beaten off competition from Johnson’s former club to Chelsea to sign the 24-year-old England international.

Reports say that the total cost of the transfer could eventually rise to £18.5m with £7m being the fee Pompey still owe Liverpool for Peter Crouch last summer.

It has also been suggested that Spanish international Alvaro Arbeloa will join Real Madrid for £8m to help Benitez fund the move for Johnson.