Ipswich Town: Sheffield Wednesday boss on move for Marvin Johnson

We revealed earlier this month that the Blues would not be prepared to pay any more than a nominal fee for a player who recently turned 33.

The Sheffield Star have since reported that Town have 'launched an audacious attempt to take Johnson for an up-front payment of nothing.'

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But Röhl says that the Blues will get nowhere with that approach.

Danny Rohl says Town will have to pay for Marvin Johnson (Image: CameraSport)
Röhl told The Star: "They are still in conversation, but it is clear from my side. Honestly, to release such a player would be hard.

"We want to keep him, but for sure it depends. Everybody must now that he is a starter for our side, it is about good performance. You cannot come to Wednesday and bring nothing.

"If you want such a player then it means you have to invest. This is a clear message from our side that if a club want to take one of our starters then you cannot ask to do it for free. We will see what happens in the end."

Johnson, who can play as a left back or on the left wing, has scored three goals in 15 games so far this season, and has been one of the Owls' best players in recent weeks.

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That's in stark contrast to the start of the season, where he was frozen out under then-boss Xisco Munoz and was training on his own at one point.

Röhl added: "All in all, if Marvin is still part of our team and if he is still here then he will go again. He knows that a few weeks ago he was far away.

"I took him, I gave him self-confidence and we are very honest with each other. He is very thankful that I gave him the opportunity to come back and sometimes it is also important to have this relationship."