West Brom agree multi-million Mikey Johnston deal with Celtic, plus Tom Fellows update
West Brom have agreed a £3m fee with Celtic to sign Mikey Johnston on a permanent transfer, according to Lewis Cox.
Cox posted on his X account [28 August] to share a report with the Express & Star claiming that Albion have struck a deal with the Scottish champions to bring last season’s loan star back to The Hawthorns, and personal terms are not an issue.
However – and this is the main stumbling block – Championship rivals Burnley have also agreed the same fee with Celtic as reported by Cox [28 August], with Johnston, admired by both Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker, forced to make a huge decision.
Cox shared: “Albion are waiting on decision for Mikey Johnston for permanent switch. Rivals are Burnley. Fee of £3million [is] agreed. Personal terms (long deal) not issue. Decision [with the] player who is making [his] mind up imminently. NOT related to [Tom] Fellows.
“Would be a huge coup. Should be an answer tonight. Carlos Corberan [is a] massive influence in interest/move. A real big [money] statement from [the] club/Bilkul. Johnston loves Corberan, but Scott Parker [is] a big admirer too. Both [West Brom and Burnley] agreed £3m.”
West Brom wait for massive Mikey Johnston decision
Moments like these are when transfer windows become anxiety-ridden occasions for football supporters, and West Brom fans are getting their dose here.
Johnston was instrumental in securing a play-off place for Corberan’s side in the second half of last season, with nine goal contributions in 17 starts and scooping the Championship Player of the Month award for March as the campaign approached its business end.
The Irishman is out of favour at Parkhead and Brendan Rodgers is sanctioning a move as the club trim their squad, having played just 15 minutes of league football so far this season.
Johnston, for all intents and purposes, looked set for a move to Sheffield United earlier this week for around £2.5m [Alan Nixon, 28 August], a fee which has now been trumped by two of the Blades’ league rivals, including the Baggies.
Given the EFL-imposed business plan Albion have been forced to work under, severely limiting the club’s transfer spending this summer to the frustration of Corberan and Shilen Patel, this is a huge statement and now the nervous wait continues towards the 25-year-old’s decision.
In other West Brom news, Adam Reach is edging closer to finding a new club.
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