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West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could cost up to £20m this summer, journalist Luke Hatfield has told The Transfer Tavern.

The 28-year-old was one of the standout shot-stoppers in the Premier League last season, making a total of 166 saves – the most in the division.

He now looks to be heading towards The Hawthorns exit door following West Brom’s relegation to the Championship, with manager Valerien Ismael recently admitting that he expects both Johnstone and Matheus Pereira to leave the club in this transfer window.

On how much it could cost to get Johnstone out of West Brom, Hatfield of the Express & Star told TT:

“I think it will take between 15, maybe £20m for Albion to say, ‘Look, we’ll do a deal.’

“He only has one year left on his current deal, so Albion have a decision to make there. Will he accept a new deal with the club still in the Championship? I think that’s highly debatable.”

After the season he has just had, it is hard to imagine no team coming in for Johnstone this summer.

West Ham, for example, are just one side currently being linked with the England international. Their current first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is now 36 years of age, so it would not be a shock to see them move for a new No.1 like Johnstone before the end of the transfer window.

Former Everton manager Marco Silva is the latest individual to be linked with the vacant job at West Brom as the search for a new boss continues at The Hawthorns.

The Lowdown: Baggies look for new boss

The Baggies have been on the lookout for a new manager since the final day of the 2020/21 season, with Sam Allardyce resigning once the campaign reached its conclusion.

West Brom are preparing for life back in the Championship and they will be hoping that the next appointment can guide them back into the Premier League.

Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael has emerged as the front-runner for the job, but there is also believed to be interest in Silva.

The Latest: Silva emerges as contender

According to Football Insider, the Portuguese is seen as a ‘fall-back option’ if they fail to acquire Ismael’s signature, with the 43-year-old currently out of work.

Silva hasn’t been in management since parting ways with Everton back in 2019, but the Baggies consider him a contender to take charge at The Hawthorns should their move for Ismael not work out.

The Verdict: Ismael the ideal choice

Given Silva’s time out of the game, bringing him in as manager would feel like a risk, especially as he failed to impress many Everton supporters in his time at Goodison Park despite being hailed as a “positive man” by Toffees captain Seamus Coleman.

Ismael still seems to be the best candidate moving forward, having made giant strides in very little time with Barnsley, taking them into the Championship play-offs last month after they just about staved off relegation in the previous campaign.

He plays an attacking brand of high-intensity football, something which West Brom supporters may like more than Silva’s possession-based style.

In other news, some West Brom fans have been reacting to a transfer update regarding one player. Find out who it is here. 

If the Wolves players were still embarking on their daily trips to Compton instead of being on holiday, then it would be a strange environment for them in which to train.

For the first time since 2017, there would be no Nuno Espirito Santo to welcome them in for their fitness and ball skills. It’s a strange place for Wolves, with the Old Gold stuck at their first real crossroads in the last four years.

They face losing a number of their key players, including Ruben Neves and Adama Traore, while there is the prospect for a summer of decreased spending.

No pressure then, Bruno Lage. The Portuguese is waiting on a work permit to determine whether he can become the new manager at Molineux but, according to The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, some big names have thrown their hat in the ring.

The reporter was unable to disclose who those coaches could be but Steve Bull was enthralled by the idea of seeing Zinedine Zidane arrive in the Midlands.

The Frenchman has just left Real Madrid for the second time as manager and is available without the added complication of a compensation fee. A move to Molineux would be far-fetched but it’s certainly one which would set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern, Bull said: “Zinedine Zidane, he could do a job all day long. He was my favourite player when I was growing up, he’s absolutely top drawer and he’s showed it as a manager at Real Madrid. I think there’s going to be names bandied about left, right and centre now.”

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Zidane’s name is one of the biggest in world football and his record with the Spanish giants dictates that he would be a marvellous appointment for Wolves.

As a manager, he has won the Champions League on three occasions, triumphs which fell in successive years. He has won the Club World Cup twice and he is a league champion with Madrid in 2016/17 and 2019/20. [Transfermarkt]

Real fell short of expectations this season as they lost to Chelsea in the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition and were beaten to the La Liga title by their city rivals Atletico.

However, Zidane has an aura, one which not only would instantly command the respect of the players in the dressing room but could also attract some eye-catching new signings to the Midlands.

A bullish character, the 48-year-old could be game-changing for the younger players in the squad, too.

They may have grown up idolising players like Zidane, so to have him in on the training pitch passing on guidance and experience could be invaluable. A proven winner both as a player and a manager, to have a head like that in charge is a rarity.

The very least Wolves could do is make an enquiry.

AND in other news, Never mind Lage: Wolves should consider hiring 54 y/o who called Nuno a “great coach”…

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith eyeing a move for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Telegraph, the England U21 international has emerged as a transfer target for Smith’s side, with the play-maker yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates.

His current contract with the north Londoners comes to an end in the summer of 2023, and it’s suggested that Villa are keeping tabs on the situation.

Dean Smith would love him

Despite making his debut for Arsenal a couple of seasons ago, it’s only since Christmas that Smith Rowe has really broken onto the scene at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta bringing him into the fold to bring some much-needed creativity.

And since then, he has been fantastic for the Gunners, managing two goals and four assists in the 20 Premier League games that he played, leading to some rave reviews.

Speaking on The Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: “Emile Smith Rowe has come in and been a revelation. They needed someone to light the flame, give them that spark.

“He’s an academy boy and you can see he’s doing a great job, the fans love him. I hope with Odegaard coming into the club, that doesn’t stop him being instrumental in what they’re doing. But I’ve been so impressed with him, I love his work ethic, I love the way he runs with the ball, he’s been a breath of fresh air for this team, exactly when they needed it.”

And, his former boss on loan at Huddersfield last season, Danny Cowley, even made the kind of comment that should have Villa fans sit up and take notice.

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He said: “He has got that little bit of Jack Grealish about him. He’s got the ability to square defenders up and go past them like they’re not there. He’s so hard not to get excited about, he has potential to be world-class.”

Given his playing style and work ethic, the £26m-rated would surely be a superb signing for Villa.

Meanwhile, this man could be Aston Villa’s new Dion Dublin…

Writing on Twitter, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has lifted the lid on a managerial update coming out of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Spurs manager hunt continues…

It has now been over two months since Spurs opted to sack former boss Jose Mourinho, with the quest to appoint his heir still not concluded.

Since the decision in mid-April, Tottenham and chairman Daniel Levy have been linked with hiring many big-name managers, including the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers at the beginning of the process.

Talks with Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca and Gennaro Gattuso have all been leaked in recent weeks but to no conclusion in the hunt for a new coach.

The Latest: Romano lifts lid on Spurs manager update…

Following the collapsed talks with Gattuso, Romano has lifted the lid on a manager update coming out of Spurs.

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Indeed, the Italian says that Spurs are now back in touch with ‘many candidates’ as the search goes on, with a ‘new name’ emerging in the form of ex-Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde.

“Tottenham board back in contact with many candidates after Gattuso talks collapsed,” he explained via Twitter.

“Ernesto Valverde new name approached – not advanced yet.

“Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag always been appreciated, both are in the list – but ‘complicated’.

“Crazy but… race still open.”

The Verdict: Great new candidate…

Valverde has won 10 major honours in total across three different clubs, including three Greek Super League titles and two Greek Cups with Olympiacos. He has also enjoyed successful stints in La Liga, clinching a Spanish Super Cup with Athletic Bilbao before winning the same honour at Barcelona.

That wasn’t the only trophy he won at Camp Nou, either, with the 57-year-old also guiding them to two La Liga titles and one Copa Del Rey during his tenure in Catalonia.

Of the available candidates, it is clear that Valverde is the most decorated out of him, Rangnick and Ten Hag, but the question remains as to how Levy and new managing director Fabio Paratici can draw him to Tottenham after weeks of botched talks with other candidates.

In other news: Spurs will now weigh ‘exciting’ manager who is ‘seen as another Pochettino’…find out more here.

Interest is growing in Watford transfer target Jacob Murphy ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claimed that a recruitment source has revealed that Leeds United and Burnley have now joined the race for the Newcastle United winger, who has been a target for Watford, Southampton and Rangers for a number of weeks.

It is also reported that Newcastle would be willing to part with the £25,000-per-week winger for a fee of around £3m this summer, on the basis that Steve Bruce does not activate a year-long extension to the player’s contract.

Giaretta will be livid

Considering just how long it has been reported that Watford have been interested in Murphy, with Football Insider suggesting in mid-April that the Hornets were keen on a move for the 26-year-old, the news of further interest in the former Norwich winger is likely to have left the club’s sporting director Cristiano Giaretta fuming.

With Watford planning for a season back in the top flight of English football this summer, one would assume that the transfer targets Giaretta was aiming to bring to Vicarage Road would have been set out well in advance, one of whom appeared to be Murphy if reports are to be believed.

However, the Newcastle winger’s improvement in form since taking up a wing-back role seems to have reduced the Hornets’ chances of landing the versatile £3.15m-rated man. That could be due to Steve Bruce wanting to keep Murphy on at Newcastle for a further year, or that bigger clubs are now taking an interest in the former England under-21 international.

As such, there is not much more for Watford fans, or indeed Giaretta, to do now other than to wait and see what Newcastle decide to do with Murphy at the end of the season. At the moment, things do not look overly positive regarding the chances of a switch to Vicarage Road.

In other news: Big Watford transfer news emerges on “outstanding” £3k-p/w gem, fans will be gutted – opinion

According to a report by the Daily Star, making a big contract claim, Tottenham Hotspur attacker Son Heung-min is close to agreeing a new deal in north London despite the noise surrounding Harry Kane and his future.

Tottenham closing in on welcome Son contract news

Indeed, as per this report, Son is in the final stages of agreeing an extension to his deal at Spurs which has been on the table since September – with the South Korean star looking ‘set’ to commit his future.

The 28-year-old has been brilliant at points this season, particularly earlier in the 2020/2021 campaign when he partnered Kane to devastating effect going forward.

Excluding the England skipper, Son has accumulated the team’s most goals (15) and assists (9) combined this season (WhoScored), and this development that Tottenham are closing in on a new deal for him could come as ‘welcome news’, as explained by the Star.

Transfer Tavern take

Amid all the reports linking Tottenham with a plethora of new managers, Lilywhites will be hoping that they can indeed secure someone who is arguably their second most valuable player.

Still in his prime, Son has plenty of seasons ahead of him and his stay could prove even more crucial to Spurs if Kane opts for pastures new this summer.

Judging by his and Kane’s once formidable partnership, Spurs fans will be praying both men remain and rediscover that form for the 2021/2022 season, and perhaps agreeing a new deal for his mate can actually convince Kane his future belongs in north London too.

In other news: This manager now eyeing the job at Tottenham, find out more here.

Former West Ham striker Brian Deane has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that £40m is a cheap price for Issa Diop.

According to Claret and Hugh, West Ham are not looking to sell Diop this summer. However, should a £40m bid come in for the 24-year-old central defender, the Hammers could reconsider their stance.

Having been on the fringes earlier this season, Diop has become a mainstay in West Ham’s defence, so he is a player that David Moyes will probably be wanting to keep hold of going into the 2021/22 campaign.

At that reported £40m valuation, though, Deane believes that could be tricky. Speaking exclusively to FFC on the subject, the retired Premier League footballer said:

“It’s cheap money. So if I was a club, I’d be looking to snap him up, personally. But it just depends on what West Ham want to do. If they’re saying that ‘we don’t want him to leave but it will cost £40m’ then that’s not really saying [he’s not for sale].

“So I don’t know the dynamics of what’s going on, but he’s well within reach of a lot of teams at that money.”

Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the player before, so if David Gold and David Sullivan do decide to sell for £40m, perhaps the Red Devils will make a move given that they are a club that could easily pay that fee.

Manchester City have been linked with Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara recently and the Frenchman could be the ideal long-term heir to Fernandinho in Pep Guardiola’s side.

According to Blue Moon, Manchester City and Juventus are interested in the 21-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window.

The £33.3m-rated youngster is a product of Marseille’s youth academy and has already made 122 appearances for the senior side in his career, contributing three goals and five assists.

Kamara was a mainstay at the Stade Vélodrome this season, making 35 appearances in Ligue 1 and averaging an impressive 6.94 rating for his performances from WhoScored.

He started both of Marseille’s defeats against Manchester City this season in the Champions League, which will have allowed Guardiola to get a good look at him, and if the reports claiming the Citizens are interested in him are true, then it seems clear that he liked what he saw.

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If he were to make the switch to the Etihad this summer, then he could prove to be the man to replace Fernandinho for the Citizens, as the Brazilian is still yet to officially sign a new contract with the club, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Although it has been widely reported that the 36-year-old will agree to a one-year extension, it seems likely that next season will be his last in a Manchester City shirt, and therefore, Guardiola will need someone such as Kamara to compete with Rodri in the defensive-midfield role.

Kamara could be ideal as, like Fernandinho, he is more than capable of dropping back into a centre-back role, having played there regularly for Marseille in his career thus far.

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The Frenchman scores impressively when it comes to tackles per game (2.5) and pass success rate (86.7%), compared to Fernandinho’s 1.5 tackles and 87.2% pass success rate in the Premier League, which suggests that he could definitely succeed the former Shakhtar Donetsk man at the Etihad this summer, so Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider bringing him in.

And, in other news… Man City massively missed out on £36m-rated PL beast, Pep dubbed him “one of the best”

Harry Kane’s future at Tottenham Hotspur is likely to be a contentious subject this summer.

The 27-year-old talisman is entering his peak years and will be desperate to add a piece of silverware to his goal-laden career so far – something he may well not achieve in north London.

And according to Mundo Deportivo earlier this week, the England international wants to leave Spurs this summer as La Liga giants Barcelona eye him up as an alternative to Erling Haaland.

In the past, Kane has never ruled out an exit from his boyhood club. He told Sky Sports 13 months ago: “It all depends on what happens as a team and how we progress as a team. So it’s not a definite I’m going to stay there forever – but it’s not a no either.

He’ll be a hard man for Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy to replace, but one of their former targets could prove to be the solution amid fresh claims over his price tag.

Earlier this year, La Stampa (via Tuttomercatoweb) claimed that Spurs were keen on Torino forward Andrea Belotti as he seems a perfect fit for Premier League football, and now they’ve been given a boost.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the 27-year-old could be available for just €25m (£22m), having once been valued double that.

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Kane is the complete centre-forward – he can score with both feet, with his head, from outside the box and from inside. And Belotti is very similar.

It is perhaps a surprise that the Italy international has remained at Torino given his goalscoring form over the last few seasons. In six straight years, the 5 foot 11 beast has hit at least ten league goals, with a career-best of 26 coming in the 2016/17 campaign, via Transfermarkt.

His tally of 103 goals in 219 appearances means he has found the net once in every two games, not too far back from Kane’s one goal every 1.5 matches record for Spurs.

Of course, the £108m-rated sensation is practically irreplaceable but for just £22m, Belotti would be as close to ideal as you’d ever get.

Current Spurs shot-stopper Joe Hart enjoyed a spell at Torino and waxed lyrical over his former teammate, he told Gianluca Di Marzio: “Andrea is similar to all the great strikers, English and not. It’s hard to compare him to someone else because he’s special. He’s Belotti and that’s it. He has instinct for goals, personality and he’s a team player: he’s always focused on his team and plays hard to help it.”

Whilst the £36m-rated goal machine could also help fill the leadership void left behind by Kane, should he depart, as he’s led the Bulls since 2017 and according to president Urbano Cairo, he’s a “real captain.”

If Kane is to leave north London anytime soon, then Levy must look to reignite interest in Belotti. There aren’t many other prolific scorers available for such a cheap price tag, so the Tottenham chairman should certainly pounce.

AND in other news, Spurs must regret not signing 28 y/o with 10 G/A since January…