Hands off Johnson, says Moyes

EVERTON fear the battle to keep striker Andrew Johnson at Goodison Park is only just beginning.

The speed with which Everton, through manager David Moyes and chief executive Keith Wyness, rubbished suggestions that Johnson was a £13m-plus target for West Ham, underlines their concern at the prospect of losing the England international. But what is also clear is that sources close to West Ham believe that the east Londoners will not take no for an answer.

Everton are aware that there is a perception around the Premiership that their players can be picked off, as transfer fees and wages spiral in the wake of the league’s massive new TV deal which kicks in next season.