Source: Eurosport
Boro determined to keep Johnson
Middlesbrough have signalled their intention to keep hold of winger Adam Johnson beyond the terms of his current contract.[LNB] The 22-year-old winger has taken over Stewart Downing's mantle since the England international's summer departure for Aston Villa, and is Boro's leading scorer this season with nine goals to date.[LNB] However, his existing deal is due to run out at the end of the campaign and talks over an extension have yet to pay dividends but chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We have had no approach from Sunderland, nor would we welcome one. Adam is a Middlesbrough player and we want him to stay."[LNB] Sunderland-born Johnson, who will be able to talk to other clubs in January, has attracted the attention of a series of suitors - with the Black Cats and Everton among those to have run the rule over him.[LNB] But amid speculation that Steve Bruce is ready to firm up his interest with a £3million bid for the England Under-21 international when the transfer window opens in January, Boro are refusing to give up on one of their most successful Academy graduates.[LNB] Johnson has started all 16 of Boro's game to date this season, and passed up an opportunity to claim his 10th goal when he missed a penalty in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Plymouth.
