Johnsen might become «big in Japan»
Skrevet av Endre Bakken, 9. juli 2006, 22:15

The Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight were not able to get Bengt Sæternes from SK Brann. Now they are trying to get Frode Johnsen instead.

Johnsen to Russia? (24/06/06)

The Japanese are offering the Rosenborg striker 8 million Norwegian crowns (1 million Euros) for 18 months of work in the land of the rising sun.

"Japan does sound exotic. This would be like a dream come true," Frode Johnsen told Dagbladet.

But there is still much to do before a transfer might become reality. Two of the coaches for Nagoya Grampus Eight were at Lerkendal watching the game against Raufoss, but the Toyota-owned club has not made an offer yet. They are supposedly not interested in paying more than 2,4 million Norwegian crowns (300 000 Euros) in transfer fee.

"The club has not yet made a concrete offer. I have told them that that is the step they have to take now. Then RBK has to consider it. But they are probably going to demand more than this for Frode. Now we are working on getting the Japanese to spend more," Johnsens agent, Stig Lillejord, explained.

Earlier this summer Dinamo Moscow tried signing Johnsen, but both the player and the agent were sceptical to the club currently third last in the Russian league.