Huge thing in Southampton’s favour as they target Sam Johnstone signing

Southampton could take advantage of Sam Johnstone’s contract situation at West Brom if they see him as one of their main targets for next summer.

Via transfermarkt.com, the 28-year-old’s deal with the Baggies is due to expire in June 2022 and means that he will be free to negotiate a move with another club in January if he wants to. This could be dependent on negotiations with West Brom over fresh terms and a potential promotion charge this season.

A recent report from the Athletic’s Dan Sheldon suggested that Johnstone was high on Saints’ shortlist as they look to sign a new goalkeeper next summer.

Alex McCarthy has agreed to a new three-year deal at St Mary’s and this will push Fraser Forster out the door, but the aim will be to bring in a young alternative in the prime of his career to compete with McCarthy.

Southampton will have to beat away competition for Johnstone

More from Saints Marching

• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
• Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
• It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
• Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
• A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse

Given that he is an England international, there will surely be plenty of other clubs looking at Johnstone’s situation alongside Saints. At 28, he still has a good amount of his career ahead of him.

As mentioned before, any potential move for him could also be dependent on West Brom not being able to come to an agreement on fresh terms and not being able to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Johnstone started England’s 4-0 win over Andorra and took his international clean sheets tally to two in two appearances.

His club record is also a good one an proves that he could provide Saints with a safe pair of hands between the sticks. 287 senior appearances – across spells at Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, Aston Villa and now West Brom – have seen him claim 89 clean sheets in all.

A goalkeeper’s prime years are said to come in their 30s so perhaps now would be a perfect time to do a deal if Saints can get it done.