Watford and West Ham United Prepare Bids for Sam Johnstone

Watford and West Ham United Eye Sam Johnstone Signature

New Goalkeeper a Target for Both

With West Bromwich Albion relegated to the Championship, an exodus of players is inevitable. One of their biggest assets, 28-year-old Johnstone, is wanted by West Ham and Watford, according to Joseph Masi of the Express and Star.

Watford are in a goalkeeper dilemma. Ben Foster started the Championship campaign as the Hornets’ number one and performed well in most matches. However, an injury paved the way for Daniel Bachmann to usurp the starting spot. When Foster returned from injury, Bachmann performed too well and maintained his spot in the starting line-up.

However, upon their Premier League return, there are still questions as to whether both Foster and Bachmann have what it takes to be the number one in the top-flight. If the price is right, the Hornets may want to bring in a new number one.

As good as Lukasz Fabianski was for West Ham United last season, his time is almost up. Now 36-years old, the Hammers are looking to bring in a reliable successor for the reliable Polish shot-stopper. Furthermore, with European football next season, having both Fabianski and Johnstone provides two excellent options for squad rotation

Both Clubs Want Sam Johnstone for Less Than Asking Price

The two sides do not want to not have to pay Johnstone’s £20 million asking price in full. Considering the financial implications of relegation, and that Johnstone is entering the final year of his contract, such a decrease in his asking price is not unreasonable.

The clubs will want to know their goalkeeping situation heading into the next campaign as early as possible. However, as Johnstone made Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad, any deal involving the former Manchester United youth product may not happen until the tail end of the summer transfer window.