Gabriel Agbonlahor reckons Sam Johnstone will be 'annoyed' with West Bromwich Albion after they allegedly 'priced him out of a move'.
The former Aston Villa frontman was discussing the 'keeper's future with Football Insider.
The lowdown
Johnstone was shining a light for West Brom last season as they suffered relegation back to the Championship.
Having made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League, he scooped both the Players' Player and Supporters' Player of the Season awards.
His performances earned him a call-up to the England squad for the European Championships, with the 28-year-old offering cover and competition for Jordan Pickford.
Johnstone was keen to leave The Hawthorns this summer and return to the top-flight, with West Ham interested. Ultimately, though, West Brom demanded £15million and the Irons refused, instead moving for Paris Saint-Germain's Alphonse Areola (via Football Insider).
The latest
Agbonlahor says he occasionally speaks to Johnstone and predicted that he would part ways with the Baggies next summer at the end of his contract.
He thinks the player will been left somewhat embittered by West Brom's transfer stance, which may hurt his career.
"I think he’ll just wait until next summer," he said. "I’ve spoken to him. I speak to Sam now and then.
"He’ll want to play in the Premier League. He’s just got in the England squad for the Euros and will want to get into the England squad for the World Cup.
"West Brom priced him out of a move so I don’t see him signing a new contract to do them a favour," he continued. "I think he’ll be stubborn and annoyed and will want to leave at the end of the season."
The verdict
You can definitely sympathise with both parties here. West Brom are within their rights to demand £15million for a player under contract, and that fee would probably considered more than reasonable in a conventional market.
But Johnstone will justifiably feel he's wasting a season playing at a level below his capabilities, as much as he may love the club and fans.
There's still time for West Brom to lower their asking price, of course, in the hope of cashing in rather than seeing the player leave on a free transfer. But was it only West Ham who were seriously interested?
In other news, West Brom have been linked with this forward.