West Brom willing to sell Sam Johnstone for around £20million as Arsenal circle
Arsenal have identified West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as a target in a bid to strengthen their squad, according to Daily Star.
The Gunners want Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale, but the Blades want in excess of £25million for him, and Arsenal are ready to look elsewhere.
They see Johnstone as a feasible transfer option and have been encouraged after learning that West Brom are willing to do a deal at around £20million [Daily Star], which is higher than the club’s current record sale of Salomon Rondon’s £16.5million move to Dalian Professional [transfermarkt].
Not a good move
Johnstone is now an England international who deserves to be playing in the Premier League, but we do not see a move to the Emirates Stadium as a sensible one.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants serious competition for Bernd Leno, and while the Baggies ace fits the bill, he should be moving to a place where he is guaranteed the starting berth.
Emiliano Martinez left Arsenal for Aston Villa having been told the German would remain the number one despite his excellent performances in 2019-20 after Leno’s injury [BBC].
That would not be changing anytime soon, and Johnstone cannot afford to jeopardise his chances with England by going to sit on Arsenal’s bench.
Staying with West Brom in the Championship is not an option, either, but the 28-year-old can definitely get a club ready to hand him the number 1 jersey immediately.
The Gunners want him as cover and are also planning to save £5million by coming after him should Sheffield Utd play hardball over Ramsdale.
It is a slap on his face, and we expect him to reject their advances for a more favourable destination.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies Super Fans have reacted after agent moots transfer.
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