Crystal Palace have their eyes set on Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper amidst uncertainty around Sam Johnstone’s future.
According to a report from The Sun, Crystal Palace are on the lookout for a new shot-stopper as they look to reinforce their squad just in time for the start of next season. Sam Johnstone is no longer the preferred choice in goal and he is closing in on an exit. If he does end up leaving, the Eagles are all set to push for the services of Michael Cooper.
The 24-year-old English goalkeeper has come up the ranks at Plymouth. He has been with their first team since the summer of 2017. He has featured in 161 matches for them and has kept a clean sheet on 55 occasions.
While Cooper did play a big part in their promotion to the Championship, he didn’t really have the best of seasons last time out. He struggled with injury in the first half and lost his place in the team mid-way through the season. But, there is still interest in his services from rivals as well as from clubs in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace are one of the clubs that are keen on signing the shot-stopper. Dean Henderson made the move to the Eagles last summer from Manchester United. He has managed to make the number-one spot his own. With him all set to be Oliver Glasner’s go-to choice in goal, there has been a lot of chatter about the future of Sam Johnstone.
Crystal Palace eye Cooper as Johnstone’s replacement
The 31-year-old is expected to leave Selhurst Park before the end of the transfer window. There is interest in him from Wolves, Leicester City, Southampton and Bournemouth. Given the amount of interest in his services, it is highly unlikely that he will stay at the club. As a result, the Eagles have been preparing for life without him.
They have identified highly-rated Michael Cooper as an ideal replacement for Johnstone. People at Palace feel he could be an ideal cover for Henderson and given he is only 24, the Plymouth shot-stopper will get better with time.
They are gearing up to make an offer for him depending on if and when their current second choice Johnstone leaves. Cooper is aware of the fact that there is interest in his services from the Premier League and given his asking price is just £3 million, signing him might not be that big a problem for Palace despite the interest from Sheffield United.
