West Brom would love to re-sign Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace, £6m needed to strike deal
West Brom are eager to re-sign former goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace but would need to pay up to £6m to land his signature, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
One major stumbling block in any potential deal is the fee, which Nixon believes that the Albion can only afford if they are promoted back to the Premier League.
Another issue is the reported interest from fellow Premier League hopefuls Sheffield United, who are also eyeing the 29-year-old goalkeeper should they get promoted.
“Sheffield United and West Brom have their sights set on Johnstone if they win promotion and have the cash to land a new number one,” Nixon stated on his Patreon ReluctantNicko on 19 March. “Blades will review the position in the summer if they are in the top flight while Baggies would love to have old boy Johnstone back.
“Johnstone is stuck in the shadow of Vicente Guaita at Palace since signing from Baggies on a free transfer and he could be prised away in the summer. Palace would take around £5 to £6million for Johnstone if he pushes to leave. Spanish star Guaita has extended his contract and is likely to remain as first choice.
“Neither club could get anywhere near Johnstone if they fail to go up as both would be working on small budgets.”
Homecoming?
Johnstone spent four years at West Brom from 2018-2022 after joining from Premier League giants Manchester United, with the goalkeeper becoming a fan favourite at The Hawthorns.
Three of those years were spent in the Championship and one in the Premier League, with Johnstone switching back to the top flight last summer to join Palace.
But his return has not been a busy one, with the goalkeeper making just two appearances for the Eagles in all competitions this season, both arriving in the League Cup.
And with number one Guaita set to stay at the club for the foreseeable future, an exit from Selhurst Park for Johnstone is very possible.
Unfortunately for the Albion, Sheffield United are also reportedly interested in Johnstone, and the Blades are looking much more likely to go up this season as they sit second in the table.
While automatic promotion is on the cards for Sheffield United, West Brom look like having to settle for a play-off spot as their only chance of returning to the Premier League, and consequently their only chance of re-signing Johnstone this summer.
In other West Brom news, one Albion attacker has stunned a Sky Sports reporter for his “superb” feat in the recent Championship draw with Cardiff.