Man City keeping move for Johnson on the down-low

Manchester City are taking a considered approach to their move for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.

PA Sport says it is believed the Blues have tabled a £5million bid for the player, who has scored 12 times this term and is out of contract at the end of the season.

So far, Boro boss Gordon Strachan has insisted Johnson is going nowhere.

But, with the player apparently keen to speak with the Eastlands outfit, City believe they can get their man.

However, there will be no grandiose statements about what they can offer Johnson, given the progress being made by the Blues is obvious for all to see, despite Wednesday night's Carling Cup failure against Manchester United.

Indeed, signing Johnson at the same time as they release Robinho could be viewed as the sign of a more stable club than the one Sheikh Mansour bought August last year.