Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has had his say on the state of the current transfer market and questioned the value of Peterborough United striker Jack Marriott, reports Bristol Live. 

Johnson made no secret of his admiration for Marriott, but City, like others, were put off by the price that the Posh were asking for.

"I suppose the market sets the valuation," Johnson told Bristol Live.

"Jack Marriott's a good example - one of the best strikers in League One. He's Peterborough's player and of course they have a right to drive the market or keep him in just like we do with Joe Bryan."

Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony is believed to want around £6million for Marriott, similar to the fee they received from Crystal Palace for Dwight Gayle in 2013.

But Johnson is a firm believer in only buying players that are of value.

"You obviously look at the balance of the strikers that you've already got and you weigh it up: are they proven? Is it a punt? What's the figure?" he said.

"When I say a punt, a punt really is any player that you haven't seen perform consistently in that division or higher. And anybody else, whether that be foreign or through non-league or the academy is in my eyes a punt."

The 23-year-old is hot property after scoring 33 goals last season for Peterborough United and is set to make a move with Derby County in pole position at the moment.

MacAnthony admitted that Marriott had had his head turned by what Derby County were willing to offer him.

Johnson has made six new signings so far this summer in the form of Adam Webster, Andreas Weimann, Jack Hunt, Marley Watkins, Hakeeb Adelakun and Mo Eisa who joined the club on Monday.

The verdict 

Johnson is correct that the transfer market has become incredibly inflated of late and you can see why they were reluctant to move for Marriott.

But it is also unreasonable for him to expect Peterborough United to act differently with their assets.

Thoughts, Bristol City fans? Let us know in the comments below.