Transfer News: Chelsea target West Brom star Sam Johnstone to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
According to Si Phillips via TEAMtalk (h/t Football.London), Chelsea have identified West Brom ace Sam Johnstone as a potential replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga in the upcoming summer transfer window. The latter is in line to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this season, which creates the need for a signing.
The Blues are prepared to part ways with Kepa next summer and are contemplating their options to facilitate his move away from the Bridge. Newcastle United are touted to be the next destination prompting the West London club to look for appropriate replacements.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are monitoring Johnstone as a result. He is currently plying his trade with West Bromwich Albion and has proven himself to be a dependable last line of defence. The English keeper impressed during his short stint in the Premier League last season and is likely to seek a new challenge in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Kepa has done well for us under Thomas Tuchel helped him regain the form he showed while at Athletic Bilbao. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy has simply been better than him and has firmly stamped his authority over the starting spot. The Senegalese ace is clearly our number one at this moment in time.
This conclusion has not been influenced by Kepa’s recent poor showing in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Liverpool. It is because of the fact that the Spaniard earns £170,000-a-week in wages which is quite steep for a second choice keeper. Having bought him for £71million, a record price for a goalkeeper, we must try to recoup as much as possible next summer.
Johnstone is a great option in that regard. He offers genuine quality and is capable of being a starter for several Premier League sides. He has earned 12 clean sheets from 29 matches in the Championship this campaign, showcasing what he can bring to us.
What makes signing the former Manchester United man even better is his fast expiring contract which will end in the summer transfer window. Securing him on a free would be a great business on our part as we could generate a decent sum for Kepa’s sale, free up his wages and bring in a solid replacement at a lower cost.
With time running out with each passing day, we must get ourselves ready to make our move at the end of this season. That is because Johnstone has recently been linked with a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. Moreover, a return to Old Trafford is also claimed to be on the cards due to Dean Henderson’s uncertainty.
Whether we can beat our direct rivals and secure Johnstone’s services or not remains to be seen next summer. We are hopeful that Marina Granovskaia can win this race as we could generate some much-needed funds for our future prospects.
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