West Brom hold talks with Sam Johnstone about a new contract
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has begun discussing the possibility of a new deal with the club, according to The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
The England international has impressed head coach Valerien Ismael with his attitude towards training, and a contract extension would include a release clause should the club fail to secure instant promotion.
Johnstone, 28, will have a ‘get out fee’ likely to be set low to avoid him being priced out of a move back to the Premier League, with his chances of joining any top-flight team as first-choice now very slim.
Massive boost
West Brom are not willing to lose the player for free as he enters the last 12 months of his deal, and it appears the goalie shares the same sentiment.
With suitors not willing to meet our demands, a move to a Premier League side seems off the cards after West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur brought in new goalkeepers.
Johnstone clearly is not keen on playing second fiddle and would prefer to remain at The Hawthorns than sit on the bench elsewhere.
It is a huge boost for us and one that surely gives us a chance of earning immediate promotion.
The Englishman was one of the best in the Premier League last season, making his Three Lions debut as a result, and Ismael would really love to him for the campaign for obvious reasons.
Johnstone would be putting his international career on the line as his chances of going to be World Cup after a season in the Championship are very slim.
Nevertheless, nothing can be ruled out, and the risk could be worth it in the end.
We now have to earn instant promotion and establish ourselves as a mainstay in the top-flight to reward Johnstone should he sign a new deal.
With more than three weeks still left in the summer transfer window, we are not ruling out a potential exit, but we would love to have him for the season.
In other West Brom news, journalist blasts bid for Baggies ace, makes claim on player’s desire.
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