Sam Johnstone has been one shining light of West Bromwich Albion’s disappointing season and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper was linked with Leeds United and Brighton in January, and while he is still a Baggies player for now, there is a feeling that it might not be the case for much longer.

Paul Robinson recently told Football Insider: “He has had a fantastic season. He is knocking on the door of an international call-up. I genuinely think he will stay in the Premier League if West Brom go down.”

Sadly for Albion supporters, the former England number one is probably right.

Johnstone joined the Baggies from Manchester United in 2018 and has gone on to make 117 appearances in all competitions. He conceded only 45 goals from 46 games in 2019/20, keeping 14 clean sheets as Albion sealed promotion to the Premier League.

While he has picked the ball out of his net 53 times in 23 games this season, Johnstone’s performances haven’t been to blame. The 27-year-old has made more saves than any goalkeeper in the Premier League and has been equal to 65.7% of shots on target faced.

West Brom would undoubtedly love to keep him next season, but they’re at serious risk of relegation and Johnstone will enter the last year of his contract in 2021/22. Albion aren’t blessed with vast transfer funds and may be resigned to losing the goalkeeper when his deal is up, so they may have to cash in this year while he still has plenty of value.

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It’s a nightmare situation to be in. West Brom could go down this season and lose one of their best players not long after, but it could soon be reality.

Johnstone has value after impressing this season but may be lured away if other Premier League clubs come calling. He may have England aspirations, too, so playing top-flight football is essential.

He will be able to agree a pre-contract deal with a foreign club from next January, so Albion only have the summer transfer window available to make money on him if left with little choice but to sell him.