West Brom deal for Mikey Johnston could be in place as Celtic stance shared
Don Goodman would find it “really surprising” if there is not already an agreement in place for West Brom to sign Mikey Johnston from Celtic.
Johnston has lit up The Hawthorns since arriving on an initial half-season loan from the Scottish heavyweights three months ago.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers recently suggested the 25-year-old has a future at the club, but a reasonable offer could tempt them to cash in.
Asked if Albion should go all out to bring in Johnston or instead look to invest any transfer cash on a number of other players, Goodman told West Brom News: “It depends on how many players they could get for the same fee.
“It also depends whether they are in the Premier League or Championship. But they need to be trying to do a deal – ideally now. If he keeps playing the way he has done, his price tag is only going to go up and up.
“He’s potentially got one further regular-season game and then, hopefully for West Bromwich Albion, another three games to go in the play-offs. If he makes the difference in those games then the price is only going to go up and up and up.
“It’d be really surprising if something hasn’t been agreed. Brendan Rodgers has said what he’s said, but he’s not really got any choice but to be positive about Mikey Johnston.
“From a West Bromwich Albion perspective, I’d personally be hoping that they’ve already agreed a deal because it’s a no-brainer really if the price is right.”
Mikey Johnston contract situation at Celtic
Johnston’s reputation has undoubtedly been enhanced during his short time with Albion, having scored seven goals and assisted another in 16 Championship outings.
While the attack may have gone off the boil of late, perhaps explaining West Brom’s drop in form, he is still a player Carlos Corberan would love to have beyond this summer.
That is regardless of what division the Baggies are in. Johnston has showed what he can do in the second tier, and he will no doubt have the ability to adapt to the Premier League if Albion go up.
With just two years to run on his deal from this summer, Celtic know this is realistically their best chance to land a sizeable fee for the Republic of Ireland international.
Shilen Patel should therefore ensure everything is in place to make Johnston the first permanent signing of this new regime – if that is not already the case.
In other West Brom news, Wolves have been told that Aaron Ramsdale’s Albion allegiance will unlikely be a deciding factor amid interest in the Arsenal goalkeeper.
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