Previously interested Derby County have given up the chase for US striker Eddie Johnson, with MLS' asking price apparently the deal buster.

Derby boss Billy Davies is bringing the team back to the Premiership after a four-year absence and has admitted the desire to add another forward to his arsenal. The Pride Park crew did pursue the Kansas City ace, but switched their attention to cheaper option Mohammed Kallon of Monaco this week.

"The Eddie Johnson deal is not going to happen," Rams spokesman Gareth Davis told American Soccer Daily. "We were interested, but I don't know how far along it got."

Johnson, who has enjoyed training stints with Manchester United and Reading, was previously the subject of Benfica and Real Sociedad swoops.

Now finished with an extended US National Team summer tourney tour, the 23-year old will suit up for the Wizards against visiting Real Salt Lake this weekend still holding a share of the MLS goal scoring lead.

UPDATE: ASD has learned that it was Johnson, and not MLS, that nixed the Derby transfer. A souce has confirmed that Kansas City had accepted an offer in the $6 million range, but the player declined the move.