West Brom: Carlton Palmer tips Norwich City and Sunderland in Mikey Johnston transfer battle
Carlton Palmer has tipped Norwich City and Sunderland to battle West Brom for Mikey Johnston’s permanent transfer amid a “fantastic” season on loan from Celtic.
Having arrived at The Hawthorns during the January transfer window, the winger has hit the ground running, netting six goals in nine appearances so far.
It would be difficult to believe if multiple clubs were not interested in the 24-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window, and Palmer believes it could take a fee of £2-3million to strike a deal with the Hoops.
Speaking to FootballLeagueWorld on Tuesday (12 March), he said: “Mikey Johnston has continued his flying time at West Brom since he joined on loan in the January transfer window, netting his sixth goal for West Bromwich Albion in their latest win against Huddersfield Town
“He’s had a fantastic time since joining from Celtic on loan. He’s still currently got his contract at his parent club Celtic, there is no fee being written to his contract, so who knows whether West Brom would be able to afford him with the new owners they’ve got in.
“But certainly, Norwich and Sunderland, and other prospective Championship clubs will be monitoring the situation given his outstanding form for West Bromwich Albion.
“With Sunderland’s policy of trying to buy young players, and get them in cheap, I don’t think Johnston will fall into that because I think Celtic will be looking at least £2m or £3m given his form in the Championship.”
West Brom must beat Norwich City and Sunderland to Mikey Johnston’s signature
Johnston has breathed fresh air into the football being played at The Hawthorns since arriving from Celtic on loan, netting several stunners for the Baggies.
This is not to suggest that Carlos Corberan had been playing ugly football before the Ireland international joined, with the manager impressively leading West Brom to fifth in the Championship with limited resources.
With Shilen Patel’s new takeover at The Hawthorns, West Brom must do everything to keep Johnston at the club after the end of this season, having struggled to get regular game time at Celtic Park recently.
West Brom have the potential to be playing Premier League football next season, battling to keep their fifth-place spot in the league over Norwich City and Hull City to enter the playoffs.
Johnston is likely to play an important role in achieving promotion to the top flight and could be a very exciting player next season regardless of what league they are playing in.
In other West Brom news, Tony Brown raged at Alex Palmer v Huddersfield.
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