Exclusive: Champ target Johnson explains transfer desire

Pete O'Rourke
Marvin Johnson: Linked with QPR, Birmingham & Brighton

Marvin Johnson: Linked with QPR, Birmingham & Brighton

Marvin Johnson’s agent has released a statement to TEAMtalk to reveal his reasons for handing in a transfer request at Motherwell.

Johnson, who has been the subject of bids from Oxford United this summer, handed in an official transfer request earlier this week as he seeks a move away from Fir Park for personal reasons before the close of the transfer window.

A number of Championship clubs, including Brighton, Birmingham and Queens Park Rangers are all understood to be weighing up moves for Johnson.

In a statement released to www.teamtalk.com the player’s agent, Gino Culbertson, has moved to make a response to Motherwell’s statement that they will not be “cajoled or manoeuvred” into selling Johnson by explaining his reasons for asking for a move.

“ In response to the statement from Motherwell Football Club we can confirm that our client Marvin Johnson has handed in a transfer request due to personal and family reasons which the Club are aware of and have been for some time,” read the statement

“Marvin was signed for a very nominal fee by the Club for the sole intention that he be sold as soon as possible for profit and whilst we are more than happy with this, the issue is the unrealistic value that they have now imposed upon him which frankly prohibitive and clearly out of step with the current market. They keep referring to supposed huge offers other Scottish clubs have turned down for players, which are frankly just speculation and appear to have little substance and those moves which have taken place are in line with the offer received for Marvin.

“The offer they have currently, would see them make a huge and substantial profit on a player they bought only eighteen months ago and we feel rightly so, but to demand a figure that is pricing the player out of any move is clearly both unfair and unreasonable.

“We have always maintained that the Club have been good to Marvin and in return the service he has given them has been outstanding in terms of his contribution in helping them to retain their Premiership status in his first season and the performances he produced last season. He has enjoyed his time at the Club and appreciates the support he has always received from the fans. However, I am sure they would all accept and appreciate that family must come first and hence his desire to move.

“Whilst a Club can put any price upon a player’s head, the facts are that a player is only worth what a Club is willing to pay for him and Motherwell’s valuation of him is both unreasonable and over inflated, hence the lack of interest and offers from other Clubs, Oxford being the only official offer received. We would all dearly love Marvin to be sold for a huge transfer fee but we feel the Club have to be realistic and temper avaricious expectations with common sense and fairness.

“It is our hope that the matter will be resolved amicably and in the best interests of both parties.”