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Phillips makes Johnstone 'big offer' claim after Southampton January move mooted
Kevin Phillips has insisted Sam Johnstone will want to remain at West Brom despite Premier League interest in his services.
The former Baggies striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it would take a ‘big offer’ to secure the 28-year-old’s signature.
As reported by the Express and Star, Southampton are weighing up a move for the West Brom shot-stopper in January ahead of the expiry of his contract next summer.
The report also claims the Baggies have held talks with Johnstone about renewing his deal at The Hawthorns.
Football Insider revealed last month that Tottenham were also lining up a potential transfer for the ‘keeper after senior scouts watched him in action.
Phillips claimed Johnstone will want to stay at West Brom in order to see out the Black Country club’s quest for promotion back to the Premier League.
“I like Sam, he’s a fantastic goalkeeper,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I actually don’t think he will want to leave.
“He’ll want to stay there and get them promoted and be playing for them again in the Premier League.
“It will take a big offer for him to want to go down there to Southampton, where we know goalkeeper is a position they desperately need.
“I think he’s quite happy where he is. I know it’s Premier League football, but he could well be playing in that league next season with West Brom.
“He’s shown loyalty. He could have pushed for a move in the summer but didn’t, and I hope he stays put.”
Johnstone has kept five clean sheets in 11 Championship games this season as West Brom sit top of the league.
He made his England bow in June and has claimed two further caps.
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