Crystal Palace fans think that summer transfer target Sam Johnstone has dropped a major hint on his Instagram page that he could be very close to securing a move to Selhurst Park.
The 29-year-old shot-stopper is available on a free transfer after being named as one of West Bromwich Albion’s released players following the expiry of his contract. The Eagles have seemingly been quick to act, with reports suggesting he has been discussing a potential five-year deal with Palace in a view to becoming their first signing of the summer window.
Johnstone made 167 appearances for the Baggies since his £6.5million arrival from Manchester United in 2018, winning the club’s players’ player of the year award in 2021 and earning his first call-ups to the senior England side thanks to his performances for the club. Palace’s London rivals Tottenham, and West Ham were both said to be interested in his signature, with the latter reportedly tabling a £10million bid for him last summer, though it now seems SE25 could be his next destination.
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And Eagles fans think Johnstone’s latest post on Instagram is a good sign that the deal is progressing, with the keeper asking his followers for help locating a van to travel between Manchester and London on Sunday. The keeper lives in the North East with his young family, but his post suggests he might be relocating to the capital where his long-term club future could lie.
Any move for Johnstone would cast doubt on Jack Butland's future in south London, with the keeper effectively being relegated to third-choice if Johnstone were to arrive. Butland, who made 15 appearances for Palace last season, is entering his final year at the club, having signed a three-year deal when he joined from Stoke City in October 2020.
Scottish side Rangers and Scott Parker's newly-promoted Bournemouth have both been reported as interested in acquiring Butland's services, though, with players currently enjoying time off following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign, is little to suggest a move will materialise in the immediate future.
Although Johnstone could be the first piece of completed business for Palace, plenty of other deals could follow shortly. The club have been rumoured to be looking at bringing former academy graduate Aaron Wan-Bissaka back to the club from Manchester United, while there is ongoing talk linking Palace with a move for Malian international Cheick Doucoure from Ligue 1 side Lens.
Plenty of decisions still need to be made over those players currently at the club whose contracts are expiring soon, with negotiations currently ongoing to keep several members of Patrick Vieira's squad in SE25 for at least another season. Of those players, James McArthur and Jordan Ayew have reportedly already signed extensions to their contracts, while fans await news on the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate and Nathaniel Clyne.
