West Brom eyeing Sam Johnstone transfer

West Bromwich Albion would love to re-sign goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace this summer, should they win promotion to the Premier League, according to Alan Nixon.

The Lowdown: Five points from the playoffs

Carlos Corberan’s side head into the international break outside of the Championship playoff places in ninth position. Promotion for the Baggies still seems to be a real possibility, though, with West Brom five points off sixth with a game in hand.

It looks set to be an interesting end to the season, and it appears as if the club are already looking at potential transfer targets, should they earn promotion.

The Latest: Johnstone update

West Brom News relayed an update from reliable reporter Nixon regarding Johnstone and a potential transfer. He said that the Baggies and Sheffield United have ‘their sights set’ on a move for the ‘keeper, and those at The Hawthorns would ‘love’ to bring him back.

“Sheffield United and West Brom have their sights set on Johnstone if they win promotion and have the cash to land a new number one.

“Blades will review the position in the summer if they are in the top flight while Baggies would love to have old boy Johnstone back.”

The Verdict: One to watch?

A lot needs to happen for the Baggies to stand a chance of bringing Johnstone back to The Hawthorns, who hasn’t had the best of times at Selhurst Park. He is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Eagles, with his only two appearances for the club coming in the Carabao Cup.

Johnstone, who shares the same agency as West Brom pair Dara O’Shea and Taylor Gardner-Hickman, is currently out through injury which has left Palace short of senior goalkeeping options, leading to teenager Joe Whitworth making his debut.

West Brom know all about his qualities after he made 167 appearances for the club, with former manager Sam Allardyce a fan of the ‘keeper, describing him as ‘one of the best’.

“He’s one of the best.

“I think that’s pleasing to see as he’s one of the two most important people in your team.

“The goalscorer is the first and your goalkeeper is the second. He’s right up there at the right level and he’d already saved more shots than anybody before yesterday.”

You’d like to think he still has plenty of years left in the tank at the age of 29, so, following the update, it could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, where the Baggies will hopefully be pushing for promotion via the playoffs.