According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur sent a ‘senior scout’ to watch West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in action on Sunday afternoon.
The lowdown: Interest increasing
This latest update comes following a report from The Daily Telegraph claiming that Spurs had joined a number of clubs in the pursuit of the 29-year-old stopper.
Out of contract this summer (Transfermarkt), the ex-Manchester United academy ace is expected to make a return to the Premier League, given that the Baggies are virtually completely out of the running for promotion.
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Amidst interest from elsewhere in the top-flight, Tottenham are now attempting to steal a match on their competitors by sending officials to St. Andrew’s, where the 29 year-old was in action on Sunday against Birmingham City.
The latest: On a mission
As per FI, a recruitment source informed them of a Spurs official’s mission to watch West Brom take on Midlands rivals Birmingham City.
The report claims that the Lilywhites have a ‘ longstanding interest’ in the three-cap ‘keeper.
It’s also stated that Spurs boss Antonio Conte is ‘in the market’ for a new goalkeeper as loanee Pierluigi Gollini prepares to return to Atalanta at the end of the ongoing campaign.
The verdict: Shrewd business
Still holding a perceived market value of £7.20million (Transfermarkt), signing Johnstone as a free agent this summer would be a smart acquisition and would leave the budget untouched for targets elsewhere.
Albeit captain and perennial first-choice Hugo Lloris is unlikely to be ousted as number one immediately, the Englishman certainly has the shot-stopping prowess to push the World Cup winner for a spot in Conte’s side.
Described as ‘outstanding’ by Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, Johnstone has enjoyed a superb 2021/22 campaign, keeping 14 clean sheets from 33 second-tier outings – the joint second highest in the competition (Sofascore).
In other news. Spurs prepare to battle London rivals for Bundesliga capture. Find out more here!