Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £18.5 million bid for Glen Johnson, increasing the possibility that Jose Bosingwa will leave the Londoners for Bayern Munich.
The England right back appeared certain to be on his way to Anfield earlier this week after Liverpool's offer was accepted by Portsmouth, but Peter Storrie, the south-coast club's chief executive, said today that they have agreed terms with Chelsea as well and it is up to the player to choose his destination.
Johnson, 24, left Chelsea for Portsmouth in 2007 after a successful loan spell after finding his opportunities limited in west London.
"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."
Storrie said that it would be unfair for Portsmouth to deny Johnson the chance to play for a top-four side, especially ahead of next year's World Cup finals, where he will hope to be England's first-choice right back.
“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 said. "It’s a big year for him with the World Cup coming up. Playing Champions League football will make him an even better player than he is today."
Bosingwa joined Chelsea from FC Porto a year ago for £15.8 million and had a solid debut season but Bayern are increasingly confident they can persuade him to move to the Bundesliga. Chelsea's offer for Johnson suggests that they are preparing for Bosingwa's departure.
The England right back appeared certain to be on his way to Anfield earlier this week after Liverpool's offer was accepted by Portsmouth, but Peter Storrie, the south-coast club's chief executive, said today that they have agreed terms with Chelsea as well and it is up to the player to choose his destination.
Johnson, 24, left Chelsea for Portsmouth in 2007 after a successful loan spell after finding his opportunities limited in west London.
"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."
Storrie said that it would be unfair for Portsmouth to deny Johnson the chance to play for a top-four side, especially ahead of next year's World Cup finals, where he will hope to be England's first-choice right back.
“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 said. "It’s a big year for him with the World Cup coming up. Playing Champions League football will make him an even better player than he is today."
Bosingwa joined Chelsea from FC Porto a year ago for £15.8 million and had a solid debut season but Bayern are increasingly confident they can persuade him to move to the Bundesliga. Chelsea's offer for Johnson suggests that they are preparing for Bosingwa's departure.
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