Rumour: Real Madrid could bid for Liverpool's Glen Johnson

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has emerged as a shock summer transfer target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, report the Telegraph.

The 29-year-old will enter the final year of his contract with the Merseysiders at the end of the season as he has failed to agree an extension with the club.

Liverpool reportedly held initial talks with the full-back last year but have now decided not to reopen negotiations until the summer.

Club owners Fenway Sports Group are unwilling to offer players over the age of 30 vast wages and the England international is unlikely to retain his wages of £110,000-a-week if a deal is to be agreed.

However, several clubs are believed to be hopeful they can take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s future with Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid amongst them.

The Italian is in the market for a right sided defender as he has doubts over the suitability of current first choice Alvaro Arbeloa and could reportedly table a £5 million bid for Johnson.

The former Chelsea man could be lured to Spain with the promise of a new challenge in La Liga as he enters the twilights years of his career.

With Liverpool closing in on a return to Champions League football they are eager to agree a new deal, but their hesitancy has opened the possibility that Johnson could feel undervalued, which he hinted was the case when he commented on his contract situation earlier in the season.

“I’ve loved every minute of the five years I’ve been here and I’d love to stay but really the only truth in it is that I’ve not been offered a new contract on any level.

“No-one has come to me from Liverpool at all. I don’t know the situation the club are in or if they want to renew it. So I’ve not got a decision to make other than to see my contract out because no-one is telling me any different,” he insisted.

Glen Johnson has a 64% take on success rate for Liverpool this season (36/56).