‘Villa couldn’t afford’: Micah Richards thinks player Tottenham Hotspur reportedly want is ‘outstanding’

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Micah Richards has raved about reported Tottenham Hotspur target and West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in The Daily Mail.

The former Manchester City and Aston Villa right-back is pleased to see Johnstone get a call-up to the latest England squad.

Richards played with the 27-year-old goalkeeper when he was at Villa, and the BBC Sport and Sky Sports pundit has claimed that the Villans could not afford to keep him at the club.

The 27-year-old had a loan spell at Villa from Manchester United in 2017-18 and made a permanent move to West Brom in 2018.

The Sun reported in January 2021 that Spurs are looking at Johnstone as a potential replacement for Hugo Lloris in the summer of 2021, with the Frenchman on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain.

Richards wrote in The Daily Mail: “I have my misgivings about Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the England squad but I’m delighted Sam Johnstone has been rewarded for his outstanding season with West Brom.

“Sam was a team-mate of mine at Aston Villa and one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet, a wonderful professional who got a proper grounding at Manchester United.

“Villa couldn’t afford to keep him back then but I always knew he’d establish himself somewhere. West Brom look like they are headed for relegation but their form cannot put a dampener on what Johnstone has done. If he wins a first cap it would be fully deserved.”

Should Tottenham Hotspur make a move?

Johnstone is at the top of his game at the moment, and there is a chance that he could be in England’s European Championship squad.

The Englishman is at the right age to take the next step in his career, and the 27-year-old would be a brilliant signing for Spurs in the long run.

Hugo Lloris is 34 and Joe Hart is 33. Spurs do need a younger and established goalkeeper who will be able to at least challenge.

West Brom are likely to get relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, and if that happens, then it is hard to see Johnstone stay at The Hawthorns.