Obviously he is one of very few saleable assets left in the squad, but easily the most sought-after ... if we believe the media.
Last month we were told "Johnson is being tracked by a host of Premier League clubs headed by Sunderland (the club he supported as a boy), Everton and Chelsea".
But Boro know they will be unable to get anywhere near the 22-year-old’s market value, because he is out of contract in the summer.
His age means Boro will be entitled to some compensation if he sees out his contract.