Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Sheffield Wednesday will be desperate to keep hold of winger Marvin Johnson amid reported interest from Ipswich Town.
Johnson starred for the Owls as they won promotion from League One last season, but he was surprisingly frozen out at the start of the campaign by former manager Xisco Munoz.
The 33-year-old was brought back into the fold following Danny Rohl’s arrival in October, and he has impressed since returning to the team, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 13 appearances.
Johnson was linked with Ipswich in the summer, and The Star reported on Wednesday night that the Tractor Boys have reignited their interest.
Journalist Alex Crook claims that Wednesday have rejected a £1 million bid from Ipswich for Johnson, with movement expected on the fee in the coming days.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Coventry City at Hillsborough, Rohl refused to discuss Johnson’s future.
“I know all the topics are very interesting and for everybody outside and I can understand. But I cannot speak about any news and transfer rumours. If we have something, we come out with our message,” Rohl told the Yorkshire Post.
“But I can say we work hard in both directions at the moment. At the moment, there is no new information.
“At the moment, it makes no sense to speak about all the things that could be or could be not.”
The Owls currently sit 22nd in the Championship table, four points from safety, and they have brought in two new players this month, with goalkeeper James Beadle and striker Ike Ugbo arriving on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and Troyes respectively.
Sheffield Wednesday will not want to lose Johnson
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that with Johnson attracting interest from Ipswich, Wednesday must look to tie him down to a new contract.
“Ipswich Town have reportedly made contact with Sheffield Wednesday regarding their experienced, versatile left-sided player Marvin Johnson,” Palmer said.
“Johnson was frozen out in the early part of the season by former manager Xisco Munoz.
“He has returned to the starting line-up in sparkling form, registering two goals and two assists in his last five games.
“Danny Rohl would not want to lose him, but Johnson is now 33 and his contract is set to expire in the summer.
“The Owls would have to offer him a new deal, which in my opinion, I would because he is one of their better players who can operate in the Championship and League One should they not retain their Championship status.
“If Johnson refuses to sign a new deal at Sheffield Wednesday, they might be forced to sell.
“On the other hand, Ipswich would be looking at short-term measures in Johnson, but he offers Kieran McKenna and Ipswich flexibility on the left-hand side, with an attacking edge to his game as we have seen in recent weeks at Sheffield Wednesday.”
Palmer is right that the Owls will be incredibly reluctant to lose Johnson.
Johnson has established himself as a key player since returning to the team under Rohl, and his form has been crucial to Wednesday’s recent upturn in form.
However, Johnson is out of contract in the summer, and should Ipswich return with an improved bid, it could be too good for the Owls to turn down.
With the Tractor Boys currently sitting second in the table, a move to Portman Road could be Johnson’s last opportunity to play Premier League football, and while he may not be guaranteed regular game time for Kieran McKenna’s side, he may be tempted to make the switch to Suffolk.
