Manchester United and Tottenham are set to fight it out for the signature of West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. The England shot-stopper is expected to leave at the end of the season as he seeks a return to the Premier League and both United and Spurs are willing to offer him that route.
Antonio Conte is set to be on the lookout for a second-choice goalkeeper in the summer. Pierluigi Gollini was signed on a season-long loan by Nuno Espirito Santo but looks likely to head back to Atalanta come the summer.
Johnstone represents a bargain signing who has also proven himself to be an impressive goalkeeper in the top-flight during the 2020-21 campaign with the Baggies. Last weekend, Steve Bruce confirmed that the 29-year-old is expected to leave the Hawthorns at the end of the current season.
“The likelihood is that Sam is going to leave,” Bruce said after Saturday's defeat to Stoke City, via Birmingham Live. “But I have seen enough of the kid (Palmer) and Button has played enough for me to know he is a very, very decent goalkeeper.
"I am quite happy with him and we are in discussions with him now over next year, and I hope that could be fruitful. We are blessed in that department. The way I think at the moment is to let those two go head-to-head.”
Bruce had previously expressed dread at the prospect of losing the shot-stopper on a free transfer telling BirminghamLive last month: “We’re probably going to lose our biggest asset on a Bosman (free transfer), which is not great for everybody."
A report from Sky Sports on Tuesday indicated that both Spurs and United were readying offers for Johnstone. The goalkeeper came through the academy at Old Trafford and with Dean Henderson continuing to consider his future, a space could reopen behind David De Gea soon enough.
