West Brom eye swoop for Aston Villa’s on-loan ‘keeper Sam Johnstone to provide competition for Ben Foster
Johnstone is on loan at the Championship side from Manchester United - but could see his deal at Villa cut short
SAM JOHNSTONE is being eyed by West Brom – and could end his Aston Villa loan early.
The Manchester United keeper has a recall option in January and is set for a Premier League offer.
Tony Pulis is interested in the 24-year-old giving serious competition to first-choice Ben Foster.
And the Baggies boss is poised to lodge a £5million bid when the transfer window opens in January.
Johnstone has impressed during his two spells at Villa Park and Steve Bruce has spoken about making the move permanent.
But his form has attracted top-flight interest in a player who has had seven different loan clubs during his United career.
That would leave Bruce with a massive gap to fill for the second half of the season but he is monitoring Karl Darlow at Newcastle.
Darlow, 27, is behind Rob Elliot in the pecking order at St James’ Park and could be allowed to leave for the right price.
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Johnstone joined Villa in January after struggling for first-team chances at Old Trafford.
And boss Steve Bruce is keen to agree terms with United for Johnstone, 24.
He said: “It would be great to keep him here for the next few years as Villa’s No1.
“I will need to ask the question. The ideal move for us would be to buy him in January.
"You’ve seen it, a young goalkeeper coming in and getting better with every game he plays.
“The difference in him since he’s started in January to now is light years. He’s confident, playing every week and he’s playing real football.”