Arsenal are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and West Bromwich Albion star Sam Johnstone is the latest name to have been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer.
The Englishman, even though he was relegated, was absolutely brilliant for the Baggies last term. He made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League, and his performances truly impressed everyone.
Johnstone has entered the final year of his West Brom contract. After a season as good as the last one, it makes no sense for him to play in the Championship again, and new Baggies boss Valerien Ismael doesn’t expect him to stay either.
Ismael: I expect Arsenal-linked Johnstone to leave West Brom
The new Baggies boss said, as per The Independent: “It’s not a secret, Sam Johnstone and Matheus Pereira are the two players who can leave.
“It’s my expectation they will leave. I don’t need the best players, I need the right players and even if they leave, we will find the right solution. We will see (with Johnstone). As soon as he’s finished (at the Euros) we will see.
“I hope for everyone it will be very long until he comes back. At the minute the focus is on the Euros for him. We are really proud. We’ll have a talk when he comes back.”
Boost for Arsenal?
Bernd Leno’s future is up in the air, while Runar Alex Runarsson is set to leave the club soon. That puts us in a very difficult situation in goal, and that is clearly why we are working really hard to bring a new keeper in.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Aaron Ramsdale, but the Blades’ demands are unreasonable at the moment. As a result, the Gunners have turned their attention to Johnstone, and he would be a much better signing.
The Englishman will be a lot cheaper than Ramsdale and is arguably the better goalkeeper. Johnstone, labelled as ‘exceptional‘ by Micah Richards, showed last season that he is more than good enough to hold his own against some of the best teams in the country.
Read more: How Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe reacted to Aston Villa’s interest in him
His own manager has opened the door for him to leave the club now and if Arsenal really are keen, we should be able to get this deal over the line quite comfortably this summer.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
