(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Steve Hermon shares latest on Johnston at West Brom after transfer bombshell

Andrew Beharie

Andrew graduated with a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland in 2024 and gained his NCTJ Diploma in Journalism in the same year. He has previously covered Blyth Spartans AFC and South Shields FC for the Non-League Paper and worked as head of media at Seaham Red Star FC and Willington Quay Saints FC. Andrew completed the Breaking Media Academy programme before joining Breaking Media permanently in July 2025.

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Mikey Johnston has been involved in one of the most unexpected transfer stories of the window.

Johnston, 26, moved to The Hawthorns on loan from Celtic in February 2024, before making the move permanent for £3million that summer.

The Irishman looked set to leave The Hawthorns for a reported £5m, with Aune Heggebo set to arrive, possibly using the funds from his departure.

However, that has all come crumbling down.

Mikey Johnston, West Brom
Johnston has been linked with a shock move to Flamengo (Credit: Imago)

Johnston's transfer to Flamengo has stalled

Johnston was set to fly out to Brazil to finalise the transfer to Flamengo.

However, it has been reported that the move has been buffered, with serious backlash from the fans in South America over the possible deal.

Hermon has reported that the claims that the move has stalled are indeed correct, but has refuted claims that the Irishman failed a medical.

Instead, he says that Johnston, in fact, never had a medical, and that the plan now is for the winger to join up with his West Brom teammates out in Austria for their pre-season training camp.

Johnston can help West Brom's promotion hopes

The proposed transfer to Flamengo had come as a shock to the Baggies' fanbase, given the nature of the move.

Johnston was electric during his initial loan spell at The Hawthorns, but slowed down following his permanent transfer last summer, as the West Brom attack largely struggled as a whole.

SeasonAppearancesGoalsAssists
2023/242071
2024/254053
Johnston's stats dropped off in his first full season with the Baggies (Transfermarkt)

If the move to Brazil does fully fall through, as expected, it could give Ryan Mason the chance to get the best out of the Irishman and return him to the form shown in the first half of 2024.

With two months left in the transfer window, expect plenty more turns to come.

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