Crystal Palace want to sign Sam Johnstone despite claims that he is expected to join up with Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Palace had enjoyed an encouraging first season under Patrick Vieira.
Some results have been frustrating, but that is largely just par for the course in the mid-table of the Premier League.
Last summer was a huge success though with signings like Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise playing key roles.
Palace will need more signings of that quality to progress again next term and Vieira now wants Johnstone.
Crystal Palace want to sign Sam Johnstone
Talksport claim that Palace are now pursuing a deal to sign West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Johnstone on a free transfer.
Johnstone is out of contract this summer and was left out by West Brom towards the end of the season having indicated his desire to leave.
Palace do though already have three experienced goalkeepers.
Vicente Guaita, Jack Butland and Remi Matthews are all at Palace’s disposal.
All three goalkeepers still have a year left on their contracts at Palace but one of them could be pushed out if Palace sign Johnstone.
The 29-year-old England international is expected to be a man in demand and Palace may already be too late.
Football London claim that Johnstone is set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur after a fairly lengthy pursuit.
Tottenham looked into signing Johnstone in January but chose not to finalise a deal.
Backup goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is heading back to Atalanta this summer and adding homegrown competition makes perfect sense.
Johnstone would be that man, potentially being groomed to take over from Hugo Lloris in a year’s time.
Palace are very attractive in their own right but it sounds like Tottenham are far down the line with their move for Johnstone.
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