Reports suggest that West Brom have contacted Manchester United for the services of Sam Johnstone. The 25-year-old spent the past season out on loan to Aston Villa but only has a year left in his contract with the Red Devils. He is priced at around £5m by the Old Trafford based outfit and Albion are ready to bring him in as a potential Ben Foster replacement.
The Baggies have had a steady defensive presence in Ben Foster over the past seven seasons. The 35-year-old was a regular custodian with 223 games and 57 clean sheets registered under his belt. Even he is in the final 12 months of his contract and is being persuaded by Watford over the prospects of Premier League football. The Hornets are willing to pay £1m for the veteran goalkeeper which will open up the number one spot at the Hawthorns Stadium.
Johnstone did remarkably well for the Villans last term by making 48 appearances and helping the side to the 4th spot of the EFL Championship. Unfortunately, Steve Bruce’s men could not earn a spot in the Premier League after losing to Fulham in the playoff final.
The club has been hit with a number of financial constraints and has little to no chance of getting Johnstone back for another year or permanently. The West Midlands side should definitely consider making the Englishman a lucrative offer since a number of other sides are also preparing offers to sign him.
With 31 caps to his name for the England U16, U17, U19 and U20 side, Johnstone has always touted to be a promising talent who could be a real asset for Albion in the future. He has experience of playing in the English top divisions and hence should be more than comfortable playing for West Bromwich Albion. At United, Johnstone will always be behind David De Gea and maybe even behind Sergio Romero.
The Manchester United academy product has developed himself while out on loan with teams like Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End and recent Aston Villa.
Standing at 6 feet 4 inch tall, Johnstone is one of the most athletic figures in between the sticks who has the talent within him to turn his story around in the West Brom ranks. The Baggies have dropped down to the Championship after finishing in the 19th spot of the top-flight last term.
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They are planning to bounce back immediately with Darren Moore in charge and Johnstone could be the leading figure at the back to help them do so.
