Sources: West Brom star Johnstone tells friends he's 'very keen' to join West Ham
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnsone has privately made it clear he would love to make an instant Premier League return at West Ham next season, Football Insider has learned.
The Hammers are in the market for a new senior shot-stopper to provide cover and competition for longstanding number one Lukasz Fabianski.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Johnstone is a firm target for West Ham and they are lining up a bid.
In turn, the 28-year-old has told close friends he is "very keen" to join the east London club.
Man United have also been linked with Johnstone but any move would depend on one of David de Gea or Dean Henderson leaving.
ESPN claimed Tottenham were leading the hunt for Johnstone amid doubts over Hugo Lloris' future in north London.
But Football Insider has learned that Lloris is set to stay at Spurs for another season and the West Brom man is not a top target.
This site revealed last month that the Hammers were set to launch enquiries for in-demand Johnstone.
Football Insider columnist and former England number one Paul Robinson lauded his “world-class” and “phenomenal” performances in the recently-completed Premier League campaign.
He started 37 of West Brom's 38 league fixtures and was widely regarded as their outstanding performer as they were relegated.
Fabianski signed a one-year contract extension at West Ham in March to keep him tied down until the end of next season.
The Poland international is 36 and has spent the last three years at the London Stadium.