Round one
On Monday evening Motherwell released a statement on its website stating that “we will not be cajoled or manoeuvred to a point where we are forced to sell a player against our will for less than an appropriate value.” This was a response the transfer request that Johnson had submitted.
The full text is-
“Motherwell FC can today confirm that it has received an official transfer request from Marvin Johnson.
The club has been in dialogue with Marvin and his representatives over the last few weeks; today’s official request changes nothing.
Motherwell FC is a club who looks to identify, develop and then trade talent on; it’s a key part of our business model and the vision we sell to players when they come here to play.
However, we will not be cajoled or maneuvered to a point where we are forced to sell a player against our will for less than an appropriate value.
We owe it to our players, management, staff, shareholders and, most importantly, our supporters to ensure we get a fair price.
We are determined to continue the Motherwell FC tradition of developing players and proudly watch them flourish at the highest level, but that will only happen if we receive what we deem to be a sensible offer, based on all the relevant factors.
Only then will we sell Marvin, or any other contracted player for that matter.”
Round two
On Tuesday morning the player’s agent, Gino Culbertson, delivered the following statement to TEAMtalk in which he claimed that Motherwell were looking for an unrealistic fee for the player -
“ In response to the statement from Motherwell Football Club we can confirm that our client Marvin Johnson has handed in a transfer request due to personal and family reasons which the Club are aware of and have been for some time,” read the statement
“Marvin was signed for a very nominal fee by the Club for the sole intention that he be sold as soon as possible for profit and whilst we are more than happy with this, the issue is the unrealistic value that they have now imposed upon him which frankly prohibitive and clearly out of step with the current market. They keep referring to supposed huge offers other Scottish clubs have turned down for players, which are frankly just speculation and appear to have little substance and those moves which have taken place are in line with the offer received for Marvin.
“The offer they have currently, would see them make a huge and substantial profit on a player they bought only eighteen months ago and we feel rightly so, but to demand a figure that is pricing the player out of any move is clearly both unfair and unreasonable.
“We have always maintained that the Club have been good to Marvin and in return the service he has given them has been outstanding in terms of his contribution in helping them to retain their Premiership status in his first season and the performances he produced last season. He has enjoyed his time at the Club and appreciates the support he has always received from the fans. However, I am sure they would all accept and appreciate that family must come first and hence his desire to move.
“Whilst a Club can put any price upon a player’s head, the facts are that a player is only worth what a Club is willing to pay for him and Motherwell’s valuation of him is both unreasonable and over inflated, hence the lack of interest and offers from other Clubs, Oxford being the only official offer received. We would all dearly love Marvin to be sold for a huge transfer fee but we feel the Club have to be realistic and temper avaricious expectations with common sense and fairness.
“It is our hope that the matter will be resolved amicably and in the best interests of both parties.”
Round three
The transfer window closes on Wednesday at 11pm in England and at midnight in Scotland.