Chelsea to make shock bid for Middlesbrough winger Johnson

Target: Adam Johnson Adam Johnson is expected to join the exodus from Middlesbrough after emerging as a surprise target for Chelsea. Mindful of the need for more homegrown players in their ChampionsLeague squad, Chelsea believe Johnson could provide useful cover oneither flank and are considering a bid of around £8million for theEngland Under 21 winger. Skipper Terry: Sure you want to keep me, Chelsea?Chelsea won't break the bank to sign Ribery or Pato, insists chairman Buck Boro are also preparing themselves for offers for Tuncay, Stewart Downing and Afonso Alves. They have opened talks with Aston Villa over winger Downing andTurkey striker Tuncay, but value the pair at £20m. Tuncay'savailability is also being monitored by Everton while Tottenham remainlong-term admirers of Downing. Alves looks to be on his way to Benfica, who are prepared to payonly £4m for a player who cost Boro a club record £12.7m in January2008 and scored just four league goals last season. Alves returned to pre-season training two days late yesterday, although there was believed to be no sign of Mido. With Tuncay, Alves and Mido expected to leave the Riverside Stadiumthis summer, manager Gareth Southgate is likely to step up his effortsto land Derby's experienced striker Rob Hulse for £3m to spearhead hisattack in next season's Championship.  

Source: Daily_Mail