Boost for Tottenham Hotspur as West Ham are rebuffed in Sam Johnstone bid
According to The Athletic (h/t The Sun), Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their pursuit of West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Interest in the Baggies star is high after an excellent season on the personal level in 2020/21. It was however not enough to save West Brom from relegation. Johnstone did his reputation no harm and even made it to the England squad for the Euros. While it did not feature at the competition, he remains a man in demand.
The likes of Arsenal and West Ham United are among a number of suitors keen on the shot stopper’s services. The latter’s bid for the player was rejected, with the Baggies holding out for a £10million-plus fee.
David Moyes’ side outdid Spurs last season. Now with Nuno Espirito Santo in charge, the North Londoners will be keen to make up lost ground. Replacing Hugo Lloris will be a priority next year if not this summer. The French veteran has held the fort at the Lane for around 10 years now. Time is catching up with him and he isn’t the tour de force he once was.
Johnstone is one of the players in the fray and could replace Lloris in the Spurs goal. The Englishman is in the final 12 months of his contract and will be available for free next summer. According to the report, Tottenham will make their move for him next year. Hopefully, the likes of West Ham or others will not increase their bid in the weeks to come.
Johnstone has been with West Brom since 2018, having joined them from Premier League rivals Manchester United. A permanent fixture in goal ever since, the 28-year-old helped the Baggies to promotion during the 2019/20 season.
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Signing Johnstone on a free transfer next summer would be excellent business. As seen with Alisson Becker at Liverpool and Edouard Mendy at Chelsea, a solid goalkeeper can be a gamechanger. While Johnstone cannot be called elite, he is a capable player who could make a positive difference.
