Palace reject £8m bid for Johnson

By Saj Chowdhury

Johnson is a target for a trio of Premiership clubs

Crystal Palace say they have turned down an £8m offer from Premiership side Bolton for striker Andy Johnson.

Bolton put the highest bid in for the 25-year-old who is also being chased by top-flight rivals Everton and Wigan.

"The bids from Wigan, Bolton and Everton were made in the last couple of weeks," Jordan told BBC Sport. "Bolton made the top bid of £8m."

"Everybody has a price, but he will be sold at the money I value him at," added Jordan.

News conference: Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan on the future of Andrew Johnson

Johnson is currently with England's World Cup squad after being named as one of the stand-by players.

Everton were interested in Johnson last summer, but he was persuaded to sign a new deal in a bid to ensure Palace made an instant return to the Premiership.

606 VIEW It's ok keeping hold of your prize asset, but if somone offers above the market value then they should sell Raz 606: Have your say

But Palace were consigned to another season in the Championship after their loss to Watford in the semi-final of the play-offs last season and clubs have quickly moved to try to lure Johnson.

Everton and Wigan are each believed to have tabled £7m offers for the player.

Johnson endured a frustrating season during the past campaign with injuries limiting his outings but did manage to score 15 league goals.

But he came to prominence after his 21 goals in the 2004/2005 Premiership season following a tally of 28 in Palace's previous promotion campaign.

"Would another season for Andrew in the Championship do him any good and, if we're talking money, would it do the club good if he's not setting the world alight next season," said Jordan.

"I think he is worth £20m, but in that valuation I'm probably in the minority of one," quipped Jordan.