Everton step up chase for Johnson

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Everton step up chase for Johnson

Everton have joined Bolton and Wigan in the race to sign Crystal Palace's England striker Andrew Johnson.
 
Boss David Moyes is understood to be prepared to match the £7m bids tabled by their two Premiership rivals.

The 25-year-old is expected to leave Selhurst Park after Palace lost to Watford in the Championship play-offs.

Everton were interested in Johnson last summer, but he was persuaded to sign a new deal in a bid to ensure Palace made an instant return to the Premiership.

But after failing in the play-offs, Johnson is likely to be offered the opportunity to return to the top-flight.

Johnson is currently with England's World Cup squad at their training camp in Portugal after being named as one of the stand-by players for the squad.

He is waiting to see if he gets the call to join the full squad with injury doubts over Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.