Manchester United want Sam Johnstone from West Brom to replace Dean Henderson
Manchester United will target West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone in the summer if they success in moving Dean Henderson on report The Sun.
The England man is out of contract at the end of the season and has been interesting West Ham, who are reportedly “a long way down the line” to a deal according to insiders.
But the Old Trafford giants, where the Baggies number one previously spent six seasons without making a senior appearance, want to shift their back-up keeper after settling on incumbent David De Gea, and have apparently identified Johnstone as their preferred replacement.
The Sun report says the Red Devils “will make a move” if they can get rid of Henderson and “Johnstone is their first choice as No 2 to David De Gea”.
They had enquired about the stopper following his involvement at EURO 2020 and look set to follow up that interest following the season.
Unhappy end
The Baggies keeper has become an international performer in Gareth Southgate’s England side during his time at the Hawthorns.
But what has been a commendable run with the team appears to be petering out to quite an unsatisfactory conclusion.
He fell out with previous manager Valerien Ismael after he was benched following a sending off, in a clash that contributed to the Frenchman’s sacking.
And made errors for both goals in the see-saw 2-2 draw with Huddersfield Town on Friday night (11 March).
Danny Ward was the beneficiary both times with the opener, from a blocked clearance after Johnstone had dallied on the ball, a particularly egregious error.
Hopes that a swift return to the Premier League might convince the 28-year-old to sign a new deal at West Brom have evaporated as the team’s form collapsed midseason.
Barring a spectacular turn around his final season with the club will be remembered for all the wrong reasons for everyone involved.
The chance to start for a Premier League side is surely paramount, but unfinished business and the size of Manchester United, who are run by the billionaire Glazer family, might sway his decision.
In other West Brom news, The Athletic shares how one player has been demanding better from his teammates with his “straight-talking”.
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