Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing up a move for Sam Johnstone this summer, according to reports…
What’s the word?
The Athletic’s Steve Madeley claims Spurs have already ‘sent out feelers’ to West Brom over a potential deal for the 28-year-old West Brom goalkeeper, who could be available for as little as £10m in the next transfer window.
Jose Mourinho could even be in the market for two new options between the sticks as Hugo Lloris is thought to be a target for former manager Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain, whilst Paulo Gazzaniga is expected to depart, leaving only Joe Hart, who is the current no.2.
Do you want Sam Johnstone at Spurs?
Yes please!
No thanks!
Bye-bye Lloris?
Any move for a shot-stopper of Johnstone’s calibre would surely spell the end for the Frenchman’s time in north London, and perhaps quite rightly too.
The 34-year-old veteran may be part of the side that holds the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, but he’s certainly shown signs of regression in the 18 months Mourinho has been in charge.
There have been a few notable clangers in that time, most recently when letting in a whopping five goals to Everton in the FA Cup. Lloris was soon brandished as Spurs’ “weak link” and also dubbed “lettuce wrists” by Trevor Sinclair and Jason Cundy on talkSPORT.
Another factor is the fact that most of this squad still remain from that Pochettino era, and if Mourinho is to move on and truly contend for titles, then he ought to kickstart a rebuild and that should begin with Lloris.
He has been at the club for nine years and is the current club captain, though his exit would present the perfect chance for the Portuguese to cement his own mark down at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In Johnstone, they’d be getting a mighty fine successor as, despite all of West Brom’s struggles, the recently-called-up England man has been their star performer.
“He’s one of the best,” lauded Sam Allardyce back in December, echoing the thoughts of his former boss at Villa, Steve Bruce, who once labelled the glovesman a “diamond” to work with.
No goalkeeper in the Premier League has faced more shots on target (168) than Johnstone, and no goalkeeper has made as many saves either (116). His four saves per 90 minutes is far above that of Lloris (2.77), as per FBRef.
With Lloris being slammed for his weak wrists, it certainly seems like the English colossus could be a viable replacement, and for just £10m, this could be a bargain on Levy’s part.
AND in other news, Spurs could land bargain defensive solution in “complete” 6 foot 4 monster…