Motherwell manager Mark McGhee claims he would be "amazed" if Oxford United can afford Marvin Johnson after the Sky Bet League One club reportedly failed with a bid for the winger.

The U's have yet to confirm whether a formal approach had been made, but they did make an enquiry for the 25-year-old earlier in pre-season.

According to McGhee, Oxford's approach fell well below Motherwell's seven-figure valuation.

Johnson, who scored three goals and created another three in Motherwell's Betfred Cup campaign, has two years left on his contract.

McGhee said: "We had an approach from Oxford and we respect their approach, but I'd be amazed if Oxford have the amount of money it would require to get Marvin out of here."

The former Wolves and Brighton boss also believes Johnson's ambitions should be higher than League One.

"That is not an observation about the club, but more about the league they are playing in," he said.

"I was at Brighton against Lazio on Sunday and I could have dropped Marvin into that game, and for me he would probably have been the best player on the pitch.

"Marvin can play in the Championship without any doubt in my mind.

"He's an outstanding athlete, he's an outstanding player, he's got an outstanding attitude towards training, towards playing, towards the team ethic."