Johnson: Needs to be starting games

Indeed, City are ready to stand firm over the England winger, who failed to make Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad.

Johnson looked to have missed out on a place in England's final 23 due to his lack of playing time with City.

The former Middlesbrough winger was involved in 26 games for City in their title winning campaign, but of those just 10 were starts.

Johnson only signed a new long-term deal last November, but he is believed to be disheartened at his lack of regular football.

And there is substantial interest in him with his hometown club Sunderland among a string of Premier League clubs keen on taking him.

However, Johnson's new contract also meant his wages were given a significant rise which puts him out of the reach of most clubs.

Coupled with that is the fact City currently have no intention of letting him leave on loan as they consider him an important part of their first-team squad.

City boss Roberto Mancini is believed to be more than happy to keep him and would therefore only contemplate a sale, and even then only if the deal was a good one for the club.

To sell Johnson City would demand market value, with that likely to be in excess of £15million, which means a deal to take him away from the Etihad this summer looks unlikely.