Johnson bids rejected

Although reports last night appeared to be confident in seeing us land Adam Johnson, the suggestion today is that it may not be so cut and dried.

Sky Sports are quoting Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan as having dismissed all bids outright for him:

"We have had verbal offers in the last week for Adam, but nothing has changed," said Strachan. Adam is still here and I would expect him still to be here for the last 19 games of the season."

I believe that despite Middlesbrough being relegated from the Premier League last season, they are on a relatively sound footing financially so a requirement to sell may not be as pressing as it is with Crystal Palace and Victor Moses.

Alternatively, it could merely be an attempt to see interested parties up their bid with the closing of the transfer window ever nearer.