Last updated at 10:37 PM on 5th November 2011
England winger Adam Johnson has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City to underline his status as a key member of Roberto Mancini's squad.
Johnson, signed from Middlesbrough as a relative unknown in 2010, will no longer be the lowest-paid player in City's first-team squad with his wages doubled to an estimated £80,000 a week.
The deal means Johnson, who is desperate to play enough games to make Fabio Capello's England squad for Euro 2012, looks certain to stay at the Etihad Stadium despite interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs.
New deal: Adam Johnson (left) has committed himself to Man City for five years
New deal: Adam Johnson (left) has committed himself to Man City for five years
The £7million winger has a testing relationship with Mancini, who has admitted to being extra hard on the 24-year-old.
Johnson was angry at being left out of the 6-1 win at Old Trafford and was upset after Mancini criticised him following a match-winning performance in the Carling Cup at Wolves a few days later.
But the Italian manager said: 'If he were not a good player, I wouldn't waste my time on him. But, because he has everything, I don't want him stopping at this level.'
England ambition: Johnson wants to play at Euro 2012
England ambition: Johnson wants to play at Euro 2012
Johnson is enjoying his best spell at the club with four goals in his last six games before Saturday night's game at QPR.
He admitted in an interview with the Sportsmail that Euro 2012 is already entering his thoughts. 'Missing out on the World Cup was devastating for me. I can't not go to Euro 2012 as well,' he said.
Johnson's new contract completes a remarkable rise. He came to prominence in Middlesbrough's 2004 FA Youth Cup-winning team but his progress at Boro was blocked by Stewart Downing. However, Boro's relegation allowed him to join City.
