West Brom stopper Sam Johnstone on four-man Newcastle United shortlist – report
West Brom star Sam Johnstone has been named on a shortlist of four keepers being monitored by Newcastle United, according to the Daily Mail.
Johnstone could leave West Brom on a free transfer in a few months, with his contract expiring on 30th June.
Newcastle are expected to ramp up their recruitment drive this summer in an attempt to create more competition for places throughout the squad.
According to the report, Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Arsenal’s Bernd Leno are also believed to be under consideration,
All three of those goalkeepers are out of favour at their current clubs with others ahead of them in the pecking order.
Johnstone will turn 29 in a few days and previously admitted that he wants to be back in the Premier League, but Albion face an uphill battle to make the playoffs.
Goodbye?
West Brom currently sit 12th in the Championship table, seven points off the top six with eight games to play.
Newcastle, who parted company with current Baggies boss Steve Bruce back in October, have steered themselves nine points clear of the relegation zone after a strong run of form under Eddie Howe.
The Saudi-backed club spent more than £90million in January, bringing in five new additions in Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Chris Wood.
Johnstone arrived at the Hawthorns from Manchester United in the summer of 2018 for around £6.5million, so losing him for nothing would be a disaster.
He has made 164 league appearances for West Brom so far, keeping 44 clean sheets and earning three England caps, although another promotion on his belt looks unlikely.
In other West Brom news, Steve Bruce has held talks over new Baggies signing since he arrived with work permit update shared
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