McGhee hopeful Marv will stay

Marvin Johnson, pictured playing for Motherwell against St Johnstone, has been linked with a move away from Fir Park (Pic by Alan Watson)

However, if an offer comes in for the 25-year-old by August 31 which is too high for ’Well to turn down, McGhee told the Motherwell Times that he has a number of potential targets to bring in as a replacement.

“Marvin is a great player for us and I hope he is here for a while yet,” McGhee said.

“Eventually he will get a fantastic move but as far as I’m concerned I would like him to be here at the end of the transfer window.

“At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.

“There are provisions there for us to bring in a replacement. We have all sorts of things lined up and we would push the button if Marvin was to go.”

The transfer window shuts on August 31 and ’Well have already rejected a £300,000 bid from Oxford United for Johnson as the cash strapped Fir Park outfit are reportedly seeking a seven-figure sum.

But McGhee told the Motherwell Times that Oxford had yet to come back with an improved offer.

McGhee said: “I had a conversation with Michael Appleton (Oxford manager) over a week ago and their interest in Marvin ended.”