Leicester City lead race to sign £2million-rated Oxford United winger Marvin Johnson
Johnson moved south last summer to join Oxford United from Motherwell and is keen to test himself at the highest level
Leicester City have stepped up their interest in Oxford United star Marvin Johnson.
The 26-year-old is in demand this summer with hometown pair Birmingham City and Aston Villa showing interest.
SunSport understands the Brummie winger is keen to give the Premier League a crack and the King Power stadium could be the perfect solution.
Former United boss Michael Appleton has joined the Foxes coaching staff and has recommended to manager Craig Shakespeare that Johnson is worth a punt.
The main sticking point is the League One side’s £2million valuation of the attacker who, aged 26, feels this could be his last chance for a crack at the big time.
The U’s paid Motherwell £650,000 for Johnson last August and rejected offers in excess of £1m for him in the January window.
The Scottish side will get a cut of any sell-on which is why Oxford are looking to get as much as they can for their star player.
Johnson was a late developer and came through the ranks at Solihull Moors before moving on to Kidderminster Harriers in 2012.
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Coming into the professional game late is the main reason Johnson is keen to play at the highest level as quickly as possible before the opportunity passes by.
Shakespeare is not afraid of fast-tracking players from the lower leagues to the top flight.
The Foxes boss pulled the trigger on a move for non-League defender Sam Hughes from Chester at the start of June.
