Mills: Johnstone may sign new West Brom contract after latest twist
Danny Mills has suggested Sam Johnstone may sign a new West Brom contract with a release clause if they fail to win promotion.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Premier League and England right-back insisted Johnstone can “pretty much dictate the terms” of a potential new deal.
Football Insider revealed on 13 August the goalkeeper is set to stay at the Hawthorns this season with just 12 months left on his current contract.
He wanted to join West Ham this summer but they instead moved to sign Alphonse Areola on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old began the season on the bench amid speculation over his future but has since returned to the side.
Asked for his assessment of Johnstone’s future, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “If he wants a bit of security, he can just say to West Brom ‘This is where we’re at, if we don’t get promoted I can go for x, y or z. If not, I’ll just sit here and wait until the end of the season to consider my options’.
“There is a good chance he’d be in a very strong position if he did that.
“All the cards are in his hands. He can now pick and choose what suits him best and what he wants to do. He can pretty much dictate the terms of a contract.”
Johnstone kept six clean sheets in 37 Premier League games last season.
His fine form earned him a place in England’s European Championship squad and he made his debut in a pre-tournament friendly.
In other news, West Brom are racing four Championship clubs to sign a Premier League striker.