DAVID MOYES'S desire to keep Andy Johnson at Everton will be severely examined this summer with six Premier League clubs interested in the England international.
Despite a disappointing spell on Merseyside Johnson is one of the most in-demand strikers in the Premier League, where the lack of established, quick - and available - goalscorers has turned many sights on Goodison Park.
Wigan, who narrowly lost out to Everton in the race to sign Johnson from Crystal Palace, are prepared to pay a club-record fee to buy Johnson, and Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Fulham, Aston Villa and West Ham United have also inquired about his availability.
Wigan and Sunderland are willing to hand Everton a profit on the €10.9 million they paid for Johnson in 2006 but all six clubs have so far been rebuffed by Moyes.
The Everton manager will not sign the new five-year contract he has agreed with his chairman, Bill Kenwright, until his transfer fund is guaranteed and additions made to a squad he believes requires at least four additions.
In the circumstances he will not countenance the loss of Johnson, who scored only six league goals last season, although that resolve will be tested as the summer progresses.
Moyes' priority is the overhaul of a midfield that does not possess a natural central midfielder after Lee Carsley's move to Birmingham City. Valencia's Manuel Fernandes, who spent a second, unsuccessful spell on loan at Goodison last season, is among Moyes' targets, with Everton attempting to sign the Portugal international on a further, season's loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Liverpool's hopes of receiving €15.2 million for Peter Crouch have been encouraged by the growing interest in their England striker. Portsmouth, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and, reportedly, Arsenal have registered their interest in Crouch, although only Portsmouth have made an offer.
Real Madrid are happy to wait and see how things play out between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United, according to the Spanish club's president, Ramon Calderon.
He said Madrid were content to be "passive spectators" in the transfer saga, adding: "If the player continues to insist that he wants to come and if United will consider letting him go, then we'll ask. If the price is right and everyone's happy, then it won't turn sour."
Arsenal are interested in buying the 22-year-old Portugal midfielder Miguel Veloso from Sporting Lisbon, according to the player's agent.
Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, has welcomed the appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea: "I like Scolari as a person, I like him as a coach and I think he has charisma. He will add something to the Premier League. You never know what will happen but he is a quality man, a quality manager."
Guardian Service
