West Bromwich Albion will ‘do their very best’ to keep £10 million-rated goalkeeper Sam Johnstone amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United, manager Sam Allardyce told the Birmingham Mail.
As former England international Emile Heskey told HITC a few weeks ago, there is no guarantee that Johnstone could replicate his West Bromwich Albion form at a club far higher up the Premier League table.
“When you play at a top club where you only have to make two (saves per game), that’s difficult. You only have to concentrate on two occasions, whereas when you’re constantly being peppered with shots, you’re always at it,” Heskey explained.
“I think Johnstone has done fantastic and I do feel there will be teams looking at him, but (stepping up to a higher level) won’t be as easy as it looks.”
Something to consider, then, ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window.
The Express and Star reports that Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds have identified Johnstone as a man capable of providing competition for the gifted but erratic Ilan Meslier at Elland Road.
A now managerless Tottenham side have also expressed an interest, according to The Athletic, with Johnstone desperate to play top-flight football in 2021/22 – with or without West Brom.
Although, as Allardyce makes clear, even the inconvenience of relegation will not stop the Baggies from trying to retain the services of one of the division’s most in-form shot-stoppers.
“We can only discuss that when we have secured our position as a Premier League club,” Allardyce said. “That would mean discussion from the hierarchy at the club and look at what they can do with Sam’s contract and try and persuade him to stay.
“As usual, business is business. Whatever happens can only be decided then, but I think the club would do their very best to keep him.”
Johnstone has made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.
But, as the likes of Jordan Pickford and Simon Mignolet will tell you, it’s not always easy going from a club who concede 10-15 chances per game to a team where you are under pressure to make your presence felt perhaps once every half.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
