West Ham United are leading the chase to sign England international Sam Johnstone.
That’s according to talkSPORT presenter Alex Crook.
West Ham look certain to move for a new goalkeeper as they put a succession plan in place for the ageing Lukasz Fabianski.
The Poland international has suffered a few injuries again this season and broke down in the warm-up ahead of last night’s 3-1 win at West Brom.
Moyes must accelerate Fabianski succession plans
And David Moyes will revisit the Hawthorns to sign the man who will eventually replace Fabianski, Sam Johnstone.
That’s if a new claim from talkSPORT’s self-styled ‘transfer guru’ Crook is accurate.
Johnstone has broken into the England squad after a superb season in goal for the Baggies, despite relegation.
The 28-year-old, from Moyes’s old stomping ground Preston, has made 154 saves in the Premier League this season.
According to talkSPORT transfer specialist Crook, Johnstone looks set for a move to West Ham this summer.
Hammers lead chase for England international Johnstone claims talkSPORT transfer guru
“On the subject of goalkeepers, West Ham are looking at Sam Johnstone, who has had an excellent season at West Bromwich Albion and made more saves than anybody else,” Crook said on talkSPORT.
“He could yet find himself in the England squad for the European Championships. I’ve been told this morning that West Ham are the frontrunners to sign Sam Johnstone.
“They want competition for Lukasz Fabianski and this is a deal which could well happen this summer.”
Fabianski has been an amazing servant for West Ham since signing from Swansea.
A Fab servant but West Ham must have two top quality ‘keepers for European season
Indeed he has gone on to cement his place as one of West Ham’s finest goalkeepers of the modern era.
He recently signed a new one-year deal.
But West Ham fans have become increasingly concerned with some of his kicking ever since the serious injury which ruled him out for much of the 2019/20 season.
With West Ham in Europe next season there will be plenty more games. And the Hammers will almost certainly need an equal for Fabianski who can play in the Premier League or in Europe without a drop off in quality.