West Ham United must have known they were wasting their time making a £10 million bid for Sam Johnstone.
This is an England international goalkeeper we’re talking about after all, one of the stand-out Premier League players in 2020/21.
At 28, he’s in his prime too and, even though his contract is due to expire next summer, West Brom have already made it clear they won’t accept a penny less than £20 million (Telegraph).
So while the Baggies may have ‘boinged’ their way out of the Premier League at the first time of asking, don’t make the mistake in assuming West Bromwich Albion can be bullied in the transfer market.
Will Johnstone miss out on a West Ham move?
According to The Athletic, West Ham’s bid fell “considerably below” West Brom’s estimations. And it remains to be seen whether the Hammers are willing to double their opening offer for the one-time Manchester United youngster.
Earlier this month, new Albion boss Valerien Ismael admitted he expected Johnstone to go before the end of August.
But, with just six weeks of the window remaining, it’s difficult to imagine anyone paying the requisite £20 million fee now.
West Ham are closing in on a decidedly cheaper option, with Alphonse Areola set to join on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are prioritising Aaron Ramsdale and Andre Onana, Leeds have other targets and Wolves are on the verge of unveiling Jose Sa instead.
At this stage, it seems more likely Johnstone will leave West Brom for free in 12 months’ time rather than in the current transfer window for £20 million.
Here’s what some West Brom fans on Twitter had to say about West Ham’s Johnstone offer:
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