Liverpool plan move for City ace

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.

The Eastlands midfielder has spent the best part of two seasons out injured or off form and it appears that Roberto Mancini sees the youngster as very surplus to requirements and Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing the former Everton youth team player back to Merseyside.

Johnson has not started a Premier League match since August 2008 but the Anfield boss believes the former England U21 has enough potential to forge a top tier career and hopes to persuade Man City to sell the player to Liverpool.

Roy Hodgson is under instructions to bring in additions that have suit the club's long term plans and with the help of Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli Liverpool have begun constructing a list of preferred targets and Michael Johnson is a player that reportedly interests both parties.

A move for the 22-year-old midfielder would cost around £8m and given that Mancini has been told to cut back on unneccesary costs the Eastlands club may well listen to offers for a player who appears to be very low down the Man City pecking order.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.