Liverpool star Glen Johnson considers 'going abroad' as talks begin over Anfield departure

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is set to leave the club after entering into talks with unnamed foreign clubs over a move at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old has been gradually phased out of the Reds team this season, making just his second start of 2015 in the FA Cup draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Johnson's £90,000-a-week contract expires in the summer and from January he was eligible to begin talks with sides from abroad, with discussions over a new deal at Liverpool having stalled.

And the England international admits to being tempted by a switch to a club overseas, which would see him follow in the footsteps of Gareth Bale, Micah Richards and Ashley Cole, who have swapped the Premier League for greener pastures in recent seasons.

"I do like the idea of going abroad," he admitted after the FA Cup stalemate. "There have been talks. I'm still young and it would be great for the kids. But I'm not thinking about that at the moment. We will have to wait and see."

Speaking on the possibility of remaining at Liverpool, the ex-West Ham United and Chelsea full-back added: "There's no update. There have been no talks. At this point I have no idea [where I will be next season]. I haven't thought about it.

"I've got two months left here and we will see what happens after that. I'm just going to keep my head down and keep training."

While Johnson appears likely to follow Steven Gerrard out of Liverpool, the club are also yet to confirm the extension to Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson's new contracts, deals that could lead to regular silverware according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

"I find I am developing into the very best I can be and we are working into an exciting phase after this season," he said. "If we get young players tied to contracts, I hope that will allow us to win trophies with this way of working."