Report: Club slash asking price for Arsenal target; now available for just £12m
West Bromwich Albion have dramatically reduced their asking price for Sam Johnstone, who Arsenal are reportedly interested in.
According to the Athletic, the Baggies have lowered their £20m valuation of Johnstone to just £12m. As per the report, only West Ham have made an offer for the England international this summer.
Sky Sports News reported this week that Mikel Arteta is keen on the West Brom keeper. Arsenal are eager to sign a new shot-stopper this window.
Aaron Ramsdale is another player the Gunners are eyeing, with Andre Onana and Neto being linked as well.
Bernd Leno’s future is up in the air with the German unlikely to sign a new deal with Arsenal.
The 29-year-old keeper has two years remaining on his current contract with the north London side. And there are suggestions that the former Bayer Leverkusen star could leave.
Insider View: Johnstone is a sensible replacement for Leno at Arsenal
Indeed, this update surrounding Johnstone could be appealing to Arsenal.
With the West Brom star a year younger than Leno and homegrown, the keeper could prove to be a solid short-term solution for the club should the Gunners lose their number one this summer.
Moreover, Johnstone proved last season that he has the quality to compete against the best attackers in the Premier League.
The keeper made more saves out of any keeper in the division last term, and the former Manchester United academy player could flourish with an improved defence playing in front of him.
With West Brom now listening to offers of just £12m for Johnstone, Arsenal could land themselves a bargain in the window if they are to pursue this opportunity.
Moreover, the Gunners will be saving themselves funds in the market for other players that are needed in the squad.
It is easy to forget that Arsenal still need a creative midfielder. And if Leno decides to commit his future to the club, a new starting keeper is completely redundant to Arteta this summer.