The chances are that Sam Johnstone will feature when West Bromwich Albion host Arsenal in the second round of the Carabao Cup later this month. But for whom?
Will the England international still be West Brom’s number one by August 23? Or will he instead be making his Gunners debut against the club where he has played the best football of his senior career?
Just as a long-running transfer saga looked to have ground to a halt, there appears to be a Shyamalan-style twist in the tale.
Arsenal’s failure to agree a £30 million deal for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale means the London giants are back to the familiar surroundings of square one, their pursuit of a new goalkeeper going on with no end in sight.
Andre Onana, meanwhile, looks to be on his way to Inter Milan while reported interest in Unai Simon has fallen by the wayside too.
And that suddenly leaves West Brom looking very vulnerable indeed.
No to Aaron Ramsdale, yes to Sam Johnstone?
There were rumours that Johnstone would sign a new contract at The Hawthorns after Arsenal decided to put all their eggs in the Ramsdale basket.
But with those best laid plans going suddenly awry, it is going to be a very busy time for those lucky West Bromwich-based manicurists. Because plenty of fingernails are going to be chewed right down to the cuticle between now and September 1.
Although it is not all bad.
In Alex Palmer, West Brom have one of the most talented young ‘keepers in the EFL waiting in the wings. The experienced David Button, meanwhile, made his mark in the opening day draw with Bournemouth, pulling off one miraculous reflex stop to deny David Brooks.
Then again, neither Palmer nor Button can hold a candle to Johnstone.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
