West Brom want to sign Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter with Sam Johnstone on the way out
West Brom want to sign Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter to replace Sam Johnstone with the goalkeeper set to leave the club, according to TEAMTalk.
The England stopper has been the starter for the past four seasons, but has currently lost his place to David Button as he heads for the exit when his contract expires in the summer.
The Mirror reported yesterday (20 April) that Everton and Tottenham are competing for the 29-year-old who wants to get back into the Premier League.
In response the club have turned their attentions to Baxter who has been on loan at Championship rivals Hull this season, although the Tigers boss Shota Arveladze wants to keep him.
He told Hull Live after the 23-year-old shone in defeat to Millwall: “Look, if we were not open to signing him permanently, I would not play him, that’s the message to everyone that we’re happy and we want him.”
But TEAMTalk understand that the Baggies will rival them, saying: “West Brom are chasing a new goalkeeper ahead of Sam Johnstone’s impending exit from the Hawthorns. The England hopeful reportedly has Premier League interest from Tottenham.
“The Baggies are therefore looking to sign up a new goalkeeper, with Baxter firmly in their sights.”
Pressing need
The club certainly need to look at improving the position, as Button is 33 and has only kept one clean sheet this season.
Whether it is Steve Bruce in charge next season or someone else, if they have ambitions to get back into the Premier League then an upgrade is likely necessary.
Button’s future may depend on whether he is willing to stop commuting from Brighton anyway, after Bruce said the former Seagulls player will have to move if he wants new contract talks.
Baxter has never made an appearance for the European champions, making loan moves in every one of his six seasons as a pro.
He looks to have made a step up at Hull this season, making 12 appearances in the league.
Although they have struggled more than West Brom, currently sitting in 19th, he has kept a clean sheet in half of those games.
They have only won 13 games this season and seven of those came with Baxter in goal, so he can clearly operate at Championship level, and at 23 would be a long-term solution.
In other West Brom news, one Baggies player has issued an apology for what happened in the controversial 4-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
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