Kevin Phillips stands by West Brom £20m valuation of Sam Johnstone
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has stood by West Brom for reportedly valuing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone at £20million.
According to a report by The Times, Albion “want around £20million” for Johnstone even though the 28-year-old will enter the final year of his contract in the summer.
The biggest fee the Baggies have ever received for a player is when Saido Berahino joined Stoke for £15million in January 2017.
It is understood that the former Manchester United goalkeeper is a long-term target for West Ham, who eye him as a replacement for their ageing number one Lukasz Fabianski.
Tottenham are also said to be keen on Johnstone if Hugo Lloris leaves them in the summer.
Phillips claims Johnstone has performed well enough in the Premier League this season to command a big fee, especially as he expects a number of clubs to want to sign the shot-stopper from the Baggies.
“It is [a big price] but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not ridiculous money because we’ve seen players from the Championship go for that sort of money,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“This season, he’s proven what a good goalkeeper he is so I think that is reasonable if I’m being honest.
“Between £15million and £20million, if West Brom were to get anything between that they’d be happy but for me, it’s not a ridiculous asking price.
“I’m sure there’ll be a few clubs sniffing for him.”
Johnstone has been in impressive form for West Brom this season and has even earned a call-up to the England squad when he was among Gareth Southgate’s players in the last international break.
While a call-up to the European Championships might be unlikely at this stage unless there are any injuries, Johnstone’s call-up will have no doubt done wonders for his value.
He’s still got plenty of years left in him for a goalkeeper, he’s English and he’s been in wonderful form.
Other than Matheus Pereira, has any other player won West Brom more points this season than Johnstone?
Probably not.
In other West Brom news, next month could be huge for Guochuan Lai’s ownership of the Baggies.
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