CHELSEA want to land Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.

Boro chiefs are braced for a £5million summer bid for their England Under-21 international.

Johnson has seen his first-team opportunities at the Riverside blocked by Stewart Downing.

But England ace Downing will leave Middlesbrough in the summer - regardless of whether manager Gareth Southgate can keep them in the top flight.

And that will finally open the door for 21-year-old Johnson.

Yet Chelsea believe they have the pulling power and financial might to tempt the youngster to move to the Blues.

Middlesbrough will recoup significant funds when they flog Downing and Gary O'Neil in the summer but relegation could mean further sales with a mounting debt to be dealt with.

Chelsea want Johnson to add to their English quota and believe the talented winger can develop into a Premier League force.

NOTW

I reckon they would be too reluctant to let him go, even more with Downing out the door.

If we are after wingers, maybe it makes more sense to keep the money for someone with more experience who will play first team, instead of a youngster finding himself in the reserves more.

Haha, News Of The World. Can hardly be trusted. Don't know much about this lad to be honest though.

He has potential. Him along with sturridge and players like di santo mancienne stoch kakuta would give us a bright future.

when I look at our winger situation, I can't help but think what we need is a player who is kept out of his side by stewart downing.

seriously though- he does have more to his dribbling than downing, but beyond that I don't see the fuss.

the fuss is 6+5 & a 21 year old with potential if well nutured at a supposed 'big' club like ours should make him world class