Tottenham have been credited with interest in West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone following his first call-up to the senior England squad, making him the third Three Lions stopper on a potential list of candidates to replace long serving number one Hugo Lloris.
Spurs have already previously been linked with both Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Burnley’s Nick Pope as they weigh up options for the future, with Lloris now 34 and nearing the final year of his contract in north London.
All three goalkeepers – Henderson, Pope and Johnstone – are in Gareth Southgate’s current England squad for World Cup qualifiers this month against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Spurs' interest in Henderson and Pope previously emerged in February. The Sun has reiterated that and claims Johnstone is also on the transfer shortlist to replace Lloris.
Like Henderson, the 27-year-old is a product of the Manchester United youth system. He only permanently left Old Trafford in 2018, dropping into the Championship to join West Brom, and 2020/21 is his first season as a Premier League starter.
But Johnstone has impressed in the top flight in an otherwise poor Baggies team that looks destined to make a quick return to the second tier. The goalkeeper has been extremely busy and has made more saves than any other in the Premier League this season.
It is expected that Johnstone would be much cheaper and far easier to sign than either Henderson or Pope. The former, for example, looks increasingly in with a chance of establishing himself as number one at Old Trafford next season, while Pope is rumoured to be valued at £30m-£50m.
Manchester United have a goalkeeping problem trying to balance Henderson with David de Gea and it appeared like Spurs had hoped to try and take advantage of the young Englishman’s frustrations at being second choice. But the Old Trafford club are keen to promote Henderson next season and 90min recently revealed they are open to letting De Gea go.
Spurs have additionally been linked with Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
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Source : 90min