‘Steal a march’ – Alex Crook hints Tottenham could try to sign Sam Johnstone from West Brom this month
Tottenham could ‘steal a march’ on their rivals by making a move to sign Sam Johnstone from West Brom before Monday’s deadline, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.
Johnstone is out of contract at the end of the season and is not expected to renew his contract at the club.
But the England international has recently lost his place in the team after suspension, which led to a furious row with manager Valerien Ismael and put his immediate future into question.
According to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, Johnstone is a target for several Premier League clubs in the summer as a free agent but he thinks Spurs could look to ‘steal a march’ by moving before the window shuts on Monday.
“Sam Johnstone is a very sought after goalkeeper, with several Premier League clubs putting him at the top of their summer shopping list, by which time he will be a free agent.
“He’s lost his place in the West Brom team after a row with their under pressure manager Valerien Ismael, so maybe Tottenham could look to take advantage of that situation and steal a march on other potential suitors this window.
“They’ve just renewed the contract of Hugo Lloris but the Frenchman isn’t getting any younger and I think Johnstone would be a great back-up to put pressure on Lloris for that number one jersey in north London.”
No shock
As it stands, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Johnstone leave the club in the next 72 hours as the window prepares to slam shut.
Ismael has made his decision clear and has axed the 28-year-old from his squad, with David Button preferred between the sticks instead.
Although Ismael’s future is far from secure and Johnstone could potentially get a reprieve by outlasting him at Hawthorns, a transfer makes more sense as the club could potentially earn some cash.
If he stays until the summer the club will lose him for free, which is something they don’t want to happen if they can affect it at all.
The blowout between manager and player could prove to be a blessing in disguise as they can sell him without too much backlash and earn some money on one of their best players.
They need someone to make the first move though, so the ball is in the court of Tottenham as it stands.
In other West Brom news, West Brom share if Andy Carroll can make debut v Millwall as deal confirmed