Tottenham, Newcastle, Rangers and West Ham target told he will not play for current club again

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Steve Bruce has told West Brom ace Sam Johnstone – as per BBC Sport – that he will not play for the Baggies again. Johnstone has refused to sign a new deal, and has interest from Newcastle, West Ham, Rangers and Tottenham.

Johnstone, 29, has spent the last four seasons at West Brom – enjoying promotion with the Baggies in 2020-21. In 167 appearances for West Brom, he has kept an impressive 45 clean sheets – earning three England caps.

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The Mail report that Newcastle, West Ham, Rangers and Tottenham are all interested in Johnstone – who will be available on a free, with his current deal expiring in June. English clubs can approach him from May onwards.

Now, Baggies boss Bruce has stated that Johnstone will not play for West Brom in the remaining five league games. West Brom have little to play for down in 12th, and Bruce says David Button will play the remaining five.

“What will make the headlines will be the goalkeeping situation. Sam’s been a great servant to this club but we have to accept that he’s decided not to sign his contract and we wish him the best of luck.

“So it’s important we give Dave the gloves and see how he does. He has bags of experience. He has been round the block and played 339 games in his career,” West Brom and ex-Toon manager Bruce said, as per BBC Sport.

Bruce on Johnstone: Tottenham, Newcastle, Rangers or West Ham?

Johnstone is hoping to show why he deserves to be a part of the England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. So, he needs to join a club where he would be first choice. That immediately rules out Tottenham.

Hugo Lloris has been sensational. Gareth Southgate has ignored Rangers skipper James Tavernier, despite the right-back’s incredible goalscoring stats and captaining Rangers to the Europa League semi-final.

So, a move to Rangers would see Johnstone be first choice and in the Champions League, potentially, but England would be thrown at the door. He could replace Lukasz Fabianski at West Ham – who is 37 on Monday.

Alphonse Areola is only on loan. At Newcastle, Johnstone is an improvement on Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow. Newcastle or West Ham is Johnstone’s best move this summer.