Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly eyeing a transfer swoop for West Bromwich Albion star Sam Johnstone despite adding to their goalkeeping roster this summer.
According to the reports in Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly ’set their sights’ on signing West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and are considering a transfer move in the near future.
The report adds that Spurs sent a senior scout to watch Johnstone in action for the West Brom game against Preston North End last week. Tottenham are said to be compiling a dossier on the England international with a view of a potential transfer.
Despite Albion’s relegation, the 28-year-old excelled in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign and was one of the bright spots as the number one for the Baggies last season. Johnstone was voted West Brom’s Supporters’ Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season. His exploits earned him his first England cap in a 1-0 pre-Euro 2020 friendly against Romania.
He recently made his competitive England debut in their FIFA World Cup qualifier game against Andorra at Wembley. He deserves another shot in the top division to boost his chances to make the England squad for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
The 28-year-old was expected to leave West Brom after the Baggies suffered relegation to the Championship. But Johnstone ended up remaining at the Hawthorns going into this 2021/22 season. The English shot-stopper was linked to several Premier League clubs, including both Arsenal and Spurs, with West Ham also being heavily linked at one point in time.
Despite a failed summer move, Johnstone has stayed professional and kept four clean sheets in nine Championship games this season as West Bromwich Albion remain undefeated and at the top of the standings. However, a big concern for Albion is Johnstone’s unravelling contract situation.
The Englishman has entered the final year of his contract and is stalling on a new deal at the Hawthorns. Contract talks between West Brom’s hierarchy and Johnstone’s representatives are still ongoing behind the scenes, but things are very quiet for the time being, with the keeper more focused to help the Baggies regaining promotion back to the top-flight before making a call on his future.
Spurs, meanwhile, are looking to address their goalkeeping situation. They are evaluating prospects capable of replacing long-serving number one Hugo Lloris, whose contract is expiring at the end of the season. Moreover, the 34-year-old’s up and down performances have cast doubt that the Frenchman might be reaching the end of his glorious career.
Spurs have already signed Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini in the summer on a season-long loan with a purchase option but need a long-term option; acquiring a fine Premier League proven shot-stopper in Johnstone on a free would represent to be an astute business for the Lilywhites. What now remains to be seen whether or not will Spurs step up their pursuit of the 28-year-old in the coming transfer windows.
