Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Sam Johnstone will almost certainly leave the club if they are relegated, telling The Transfer Tavern that Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be interested.

Johnstone has excelled at times this season in a struggling Baggies side.

In total, the goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets this season and is currently the leading stopper in terms of saves made – with 124, three more than Leeds United’s Illan Meslier.

It may not be enough, though, with Sam Allardyce’s side currently eight points from safety despite their 3-0 win over Southampton on Monday night.

It would take a herculean effort for them to remain in the division, though it isn’t impossible, but Palmer expects Johnstone to seek a move if they do drop through the trapdoor, as he looks to protect his ambitions of becoming an England regular.

He has yet to win his first cap for his country but he has been called up by Gareth Southgate to his senior squad, and he may be involved in the squad for the European Championships this summer.

Spurs have been linked with a swoop for Johnstone, as they look to replace Hugo Lloris, who turned 34 in December.

The Sun reported that the club have run the rule over the former Manchester United academy product and Palmer is unsurprised by the link.

He told TT: “He’s having a good season. So he's obviously been talked about, isn't he? You know, though, Lloris is not getting any younger.

“So I can see where Tottenham are looking for a replacement for him. And he's still performing to a very high standard at this moment in time.

“But obviously, clubs will look and target teams that are going to get relegated and see whether, because obviously, they're not they're not going to pay that type of money in that league, and Sam will be one of those.

“He will be pushing hard to go to the Euros, he’ll be pushing hard to go. Whether he gets to go I don’t know, but he’ll pushing out to go and so he won't want to be playing in the Championship.

“So yeah, Tottenham, for sure, one of the top clubs. I'm sure the top clubs are looking at him and Tottenham might be one of those interested parties.”