Alex Palmer ‘unlikely’ to join Luton Town on loan – report
West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer is now ‘unlikely’ to join Luton on loan before the transfer deadline tonight, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.
Palmer was named on the bench for West Brom’s 2-0 defeat to Millwall at the weekend, but it was reported by Crook that he was on the verge of joining fellow Championship side Luton.
However, it seems as though a deal has now collapsed, with Crook reporting that a move is ‘unlikely’ and that the Hatters have instead made a move for Aston Villa’s Jed Steer.
Palmer has been the third-choice goalkeeper this season behind Sam Johnstone and David Button.
Recently he has been named on the bench though following Johnstone’s huge row with manager Valerien Ismael, who himself is under huge pressure.
Balance
The reason behind the deal collapsing is unknown, but it could well be to do with the future of Johnstone.
The England international is into the final six months of his contract at the club and there is no expectation that he will sign a new deal.
That means he will leave in the summer at the latest for nothing, but with the feud now developing between himself and Ismael the club could look to sell him on deadline day.
That would get the club some cash for a depreciating asset, but it would also mean that they need to keep Palmer at the club as a number two to Button.
It’s a shame for Palmer as he would’ve got more regular game time, but the club’s needs need to come first and he is a more than capable number two right now.
In other West Brom news, West Brom looking for deadline-busting loan exits, three players named – report