‘Nowhere near’ – Manager reacts to Preston’s first bid for defender

Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has told the Lancashire Telegraph that Preston are ‘nowhere near’ signing defender Callum Johnson.

North End have already frustrated Accrington once this week, having signed goalkeeper Connor Ripley.

Ripley was on loan at Stanley from Middlesbrough, but North End have snapped him up permanently.

Now, Preston are heading back to Accrington for another player in right back Johnson.

Johnson, much like Ripley, came through the Middlesbrough ranks, and has impressed with Accrington.

The 22-year-old penned a permanent deal with Accrington last January following a successful loan spell, and has featured regularly under Coleman.

North End are believed to have tabled a £300,000 bid for Johnson earlier this week, but Stanley have rejected that opening offer.

Now, Coleman has suggested that Preston are ‘nowhere near’ the asking price for Johnson, but acknowledged that he has a price.

“You don’t want to lose players who are playing in their first team but everyone has a price and that is the harsh reality of football,” said Coleman. “But from what I am led to believe they are nowhere near the price,” he added.