Palace would want ‘king’s ransom’ for Johnson’

CRYSTAL PALACE manager Iain Dowie claims it would take a king’s ransom to prise star striker Andy Johnson away from Selhurst Park.

Johnson took his tally to seven Barclays Premiership goals with a brace against West Brom on Saturday, and only Arsenal’s Thierry Henry tops him in the goalscoring charts.

Dowie fears the Premiership’s richer clubs are beginning to sit up and take notice, but claims selling the 23-year-old would be like selling the crown jewels.

He said: “it would have to be a big club because we’d want big money. I wouldn’t sell him. He’s got everything. He’s brave, quick and is developing into a cute finisher. And he’s only 23.

“Andy’s not for sale under any circumstances. He’s the crown jewels and he’s just signed a five-year contract. The answer would be a firm no to anyone who phones.”