Sam Johnstone expected to stay at West Brom for rest of the season – pundit
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 expects Sam Johnstone to see out the rest of the season at West Brom – even if it means he leaves on a free transfer next summer.
Johnstone’s deal at The Hawthorns expires at the end of the season, meaning January is the final month where Albion could sell him for a fee.
Speaking on the Express & Star’s Baggies Broadcast podcast last week (6 December), journalist Joseph Masi reported that the 28-year-old goalkeeper is going to be available for £5million in the January transfer window.
However, Phillips doesn’t believe that dropping that valuation in order to get a fee for Johnstone makes sense when the England shot-stopper could play such a crucial role in promotion to the Premier League.
Speaking to West Brom News, Phillips said: “What’s more important, getting £2-3million or keeping him to help get promotion? That earns you around £100million.
“For me, I would keep the player and play him because he’s a class goalkeeper.
“He’ll win you football matches and hopefully, in the long run, that will help West Brom win promotion.
“Even if they lose £3-4million, what’s that nowadays in the grand scheme of things in football?
“If he helps them win promotion, that’s a helluva lot more than a few million.
“I don’t expect Sam Johnstone to go in January.”
Johnstone has played in all but one of West Brom’s Championship matches this season, keeping 10 clean sheets in 21 appearances and conceding just 15 goals.
He’s been strongly linked with a move back to the Premier League but Masi says that he wouldn’t be shocked if the goalkeeper pens a new deal at The Hawthorns should Valerien Ismael’s side win promotion from the Championship this season.
In other West Brom news, Phillips wants Albion to sign this available Arsenal player in January.
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