West Bromwich Albion are prepared to hand out a contract extension to Sam Johnstone amid interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham United.
According to the print edition of The Sun, as relayed by The 72, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are still interested in Sam Johnstone. The West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper has become a hot prospect in the English market in light of his successful season in the Premier League last term.
West Ham had even come up with a meagre £6 million offer earlier in the summer, which fell way short of West Brom’s £20 million valuation. And with most clubs struggling to meet their demands, the Baggies are prepared to extend the contract of Johnstone by offering him a new deal.
The Baggies’ hopes of retaining the services of the goalkeeper are fairly ambitious, having been relegated from the Premier League last season. Johnstone was one of their bright sparks, in fact, notching up 37 league matches and emerging as one of the best performing goalkeepers in the English top-flight.
The 28-year-old’s impressive performances were rewarded with a place in the England squad for UEFA Euro 2020. But after playing second fiddle to Jordan Pickford, Johnstone will be keen on competing with the Everton shot-stopper and potentially eyeing the number one position for England in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Remaining in the Premier League could be an important element if he is to remain relevant among the top English goalkeepers. And this is where West Brom could find it difficult to keep hold of his services, especially with giants like Tottenham and Manchester United retaining their interest in the English international.
Tottenham were eyeing the West Brom star as a potential long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris earlier this summer. But they have secured the services of Pierluigi Gollini, which effectively rules them out of contention.
The same can be said for Manchester United, who have an abundance of goalkeepers. Although both David de Gea and Dean Henderson have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford, it won’t be surprising to see them remain at the club this summer. Moreover, the Red Devils had brought in another former academy talent in Tom Heaton this summer.
West Ham, too, have roped in Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. As such, Johnstone’s hopes of sealing a move back to the Premier League are dwindling, with very few clubs now having available goalkeeping slots.
Arsenal, though, might be one of them as they look to prepare for life without Bernd Leno. They were linked with a swoop for Johnstone as well, earlier in the summer, so it will be interesting to see if the Gunners step up their pursuit of the 28-year-old English international this month.
One of the best in the EPL last year? Wrong. He was the best. All these clubs and some of their short-sighted fans need a reality-check – they are insane to ignore him, but I’m glad a lot of people out there don’t know a great ‘keeper when they see one! Sign for us, Sam, where you will be appreciated and not play second-fiddle. Boing! Boing!