Credit: Imago

Henry Green

Sat 5 July 2025 13:30, UK

Mikey Johnston looks set to leave West Brom imminently with a life-changing move ahead.

The Albion have had a slow start to the transfer window, but plans are now expected to ramp up as Ryan Mason builds his squad for next season.

If West Brom are to have a fighting chance of returning to the Premier League next season, the Baggies need to recruit intelligently.

Mason’s squad could soon have a further gap in the final third, though, having already lost the likes of Grady Diangana this summer.

Johnston says his farewells to West Brom teammates

With the West Brom squad set to travel to Austria for a pre-season camp, Johnston won’t be following his teammates to Europe.

Instead, the Ireland international will head to Rio to complete the final parts of his move to Brazilian giants Flamengo.

According to Lewis Cox of the Express and Star (5 July), Johnston has said his farewells to West Brom and won’t travel to Austria.

The move is for a reported fee of £5million and will make the Baggies a profit on the £3million they paid for him from Celtic at the start of last season.

Johnston made 40 appearances for West Brom last season, scoring three goals and providing five assists.

The Albion are set to benefit in terms of the Profit and Sustainability regulations, with the move allowing Mason to potentially strengthen his team further than expected.

West Brom must now build for the start of next season

Despite closing in on Norwegian striker Aune Heggebo and signing Nat Phillips, the Baggies are still short of players compared to last season.

Losing a goal threat in Johnston will worry fans if he is not replaced soon.

Mason’s side must now focus on building a competitive squad for next season, otherwise they could find themselves victims of mid-table mediocrity yet again.

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