‘Wolves to sign new keeper as Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone set for Molineux exit’
Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa could both leave Wolves this summer as the club consider overhauling their goalkeeping department.
Johnstone only moved to Molineux in a £10million deal from Crystal Palace in last summer’s transfer window, but his only appearances since the turn of the year have been in the FA Cup.
That has ensured Sa remained as first choice between the posts for the club for much of this season, helping the club enjoy a recent resurgence to pull clear of the relegation zone.
But despite those mixed fortunes for the two goalkeepers, there is a chance both could be on their way out of Wolves this summer as the club eye new reinforcements.
Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa could be up for sale
With Vitor Pereira having all but guided the club to Premier League safety this season, the club can now start planning for the summer transfer window and next season.
That could lead to departures for the goalkeeping duo, with an update from The Athletic‘s Steve Madeley stating that Johnstone will be looking to move on from Wolves in the summer in order to play more regularly.
The club will apparently not stand in his way if they receive an appropriate offer for the 32-year-old, and there may be a similar story when it comes to Sa.
| Premier League position | Played | Points |
| 16. Wolves | 32 | 35 |
| 17. West Ham | 32 | 35 |
| 18. Ipswich | 32 | 21 |
| 19. Leicester | 32 | 18 |
| 20. Southampton (R) | 32 | 10 |
It is stated that while he “might” stay it is also “equally possible” the Portugal international moves on when the window opens, after speculation Sa could have left Wolves late in last summer’s transfer window.
Should that be the case, it is suggested they would look to sign a new goalkeeper who is better suited to the “sweeper-keeper” role that ties in to the high defensive line employed by Pereira.
Wolves goalkeeper changes could make sense
Football Insider Verdict
During the period at the start of the season when he was given the nod in the Premier League, Johnstone struggled to win over Wolves fans with his performances.
However, Sa has also not looked as solid in the current campaign as he has in the past, also making some costly errors at times across the course of the season.
Given the club are not going to want to face the stress of a relegation battle again next year, bringing in a new first-choice goalkeeper could also be appealing.
That may provide Wolves with some extra stability at the back that helps them avoid getting into the sort of trouble they faced just a few months ago.
There does seem to be a sense among supporters that under Pereira the club can push back up the table, and a stronger goalkeeping option would send a message of intent to the fanbase.
With that in mind, both Johnstone and Sa may have to turn their attention to potential moves elsewhere ahead of the summer transfer window.