West Bromwich Albion plan to make Lincoln City loanee Alex Palmer their new number one if Sam Johnstone leaves the Hawthorns in the summer transfer window, as reported by The Sun (15 May, page 59).
A young goalkeeper without a single first-team appearance for the Baggies will have big shoes to fill. Or should that be gloves?
Either way, Palmer can handle the expectation.
The talented shot-stopper has been in superb form during his time at Lincoln City, helping Michael Appleton’s side secure a play-off place.
And, according to The Sun, Palmer could be playing week in, week out at his boyhood club next season with Johnstone expected to leave.
A former Manchester United youngster, Johnstone has been a revelation in the top flight, pulling off a series of gravity-defying saves and virtuoso performances while catching the eye of rivals such as Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur.
Replacing the £18 million-rated Johnstone will be easier said than done, of course. But if Palmer can make the step up, West Brom could replace a star player without having to pay a penny in transfer fees.
That would undoubtedly come in handy, especially if the Baggies plan to reinforce other areas of a squad that has looked out of its depth during the majority of 2020/21.
A new centre-forward may be needed, while a box-to-box midfielder to replace loanees Conor Gallagher and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a must.
The Sun adds West Brom believe Palmer is more than ready to make his mark in the Championship.
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