Chelsea bid for Johnson

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:PORTSMOUTH EXECUTIVE chairman Peter Storrie has confirmed Chelsea have matched Liverpool's €20.7 million bid for England defender Glen Johnson.

Portsmouth accepted a bid from Liverpool earlier this week and the 24-year-old looked set to seal a move to Anfield. However, Storrie has confirmed the Fratton Park club have also now agreed terms with Chelsea – Johnson’s former club.

The in-demand full back now has a decision to make, with both sides keen to tie up a deal this week.

“The matter will come to a conclusion at the beginning of next week. I do not have a preference over the move, it is up to Glen,” Storrie said. “The deals are almost identical so it really is down to him and what club he prefers, which one is going to pay him more money.

“Glen wants to play regularly in the Champions League, he has got himself back in the England side so I understand that. Sometimes you have to be fair to players.”

Storrie admits Johnson needs to be playing Champions League football next season in order to secure his place in Fabio Capello’s starting XI – with the World Cup finals now less than 12 months away.

“It’s a big year for him with the World Cup coming up,” he added. “Playing Champions League football will make him an even better player than he is today.”

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has refused to commit his future to the club amid reports he is poised to make a return to Spain’s Primera Liga.

The Anfield club’s manager Rafa Benitez looks under increasing pressure to cash in on either Alonso or Javier Mascherano to part-fund his own summer spending spree at Anfield.

While Mascherano’s agents have held discussions with Barcelona, Alonso has intimated he may also be looking for a better deal elsewhere, with Real Madrid already announcing their interest in signing him.

Speaking in South Africa, where he is competing in the Confederations Cup with Spain, Alonso stoked up the speculation surrounding his future.

“Would you be disappointed if you end up having to stay at Liverpool next season?” he was asked yesterday.

“I can’t answer that question,” he replied.

Benitez has already insisted he does not want to sell any of his key players this summer, with the club releasing a statement last week stressing their desire to keep the midfield duo.

Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena’s agent believes Juventus will decide by next week whether to make a bid for the Italy international.

The Turin club have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, who had a disappointing first season at Anfield after his €8.3 million transfer from Udinese.

It is believed Juve are considering Dossena and international team-mate Fabio Grosso (31) to fill the left-back spot.

“I don’t know if you can call it an ultimatum, but I think that Juve will decide what to do within the next week,” agent Roberto La Florio said. “The left-back position is a necessity for the Bianconeri and the directors are not willing to drag this on. However, I still think it’s a two-horse race between Andrea and Grosso.

“Dossena’s age and wages are on his side. Is he worth around €6-7million? The last time I met with Liverpool we did not talk about numbers, I can only say they paid more for him last summer.

“Andrea has subtly expressed his desire to join Juve in recent days, but he also said that he loves it in Liverpool.

“We’ll definitely know more about it next week and Juve remain the most likely destination for him.”

At least Benitez can rely on the future of striker Fernando Torres, who signed an improved contract last month.

“A lot of players committed themselves to Liverpool this summer with new contracts and players don’t do that unless they think they can have their ambitions met,” said the Spanish international .

“There is a lot of belief at the club and a lot of trust in the manager. I’m very happy with my contract at Liverpool and wouldn’t leave just to earn a little more somewhere else where I wouldn’t be that happy.

“To want any more would be greedy and that is not me. As long as Liverpool want me, I will stay.”