{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Leeds mooted as potential new club for West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone
Leeds United have been touted as a potential new club for West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone by Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
Johnstone, 28, has been in stellar form for the Baggies this season but with relegation seeming inevitable and the goalkeeper entering the final year of his contract in the summer, it’s likely that he will move on in the next transfer window.
When discussing Johnstone’s options ahead of the summer, Madeley listed the clubs that the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper could join.
He mentioned Leeds could sell Kiko Casilla in the summer and may sign a replacement to compete with Illan Meslier.
It is understood that Johnstone is expected to be valued between £7.5million and £10million due to the season he’s had in the Premier League.
New number one?
Subscribe to Football Insider TV now
Although West Brom are looking very likely to be relegated back to the Championship, there’s no denying that Johnstone has had a superb season at The Hawthorns.
According to stats by Wyscout, no goalkeeper has made more saves than him in Europe’s top five leagues this season [130].
Some of those saves have been truly heroic too with Johnstone impressing in goal against top teams like Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City this season.
While Meslier has done superbly well at Elland Road this season, especially given his age, the Whites will need a new goalkeeper if Casilla moves on.
Johnstone might not be the best second-choice though.
While he’s 28-years-old, he doesn’t have more Premier League experience than 21-year-old Meslier, who ranks second for saves in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
We also doubt that Johnstone would want to move anywhere where he’s not going to be first choice. While the competition would be healthy at Leeds, we just don’t see it happening.
One of the newly-promoted clubs or, as Madeley mentioned, Burnley might be better fits for Johnstone, especially if Nick Pope moves on amid speculation linking him with Tottenham.
We really don’t expect to see Johnstone playing for Leeds next season but Victor Orta will need to sign a replacement for Casilla if the big-name shot-stopper is sold.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites’ new home kit for next season has been leaked by a reliable website.