BOLTON are not too far off with their é8m bid for Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson.

Wanderers currently head the list of suitors for the 25-year-old England international who scored 15 times in the Championship last season, but they face stiff competition from Wigan Athletic, Everton and Portsmouth.

He would certainly seem to fit Sam Allardyce's requirements of a goalscoring forward to help spearhead Bolton's battle to qualify for Europe next season.

Palace chairman Steven Jordan, who pulled Johnson out of England training in the Algarve on Monday to discuss the player's future, hinted that Sam Allardyce's side were the leading contenders.

He said: "Bolton made the top offer. There is finessing to be done to that offer, but Bolton have put their money where their mouth is. They have been very forthright in doing it, which is a credit to Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and the way his club operate."

Do you think Johnosn is the man to help the Trotters back into Europe? Have your say.

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