As per a recent report from outlet TBR Football, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in striking a loan deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Tottenham looking at signing Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone
They report that the goalkeeper will be allowed to leave the club in January, with Jose Sa having reclaimed his spot as their number one this season. Therefore, Spurs are beginning to show an interest in his services.
Furthermore, they go on to say that Antonio Conte wanted to bring him to N17 in the summer of 2022, with a view to competing with then number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Spurs instead opted to bring in Fraser Forster from Southampton.
The 31-year old only signed for Wolves back in the summer, ending a two year stint at South London side Crystal Palace. However, he has only played in seven games so far this season, and just twice since the 5th of October. To caveat that somewhat, a small portion of those games missed were through injury.
That said, even then there is a flip side. For Wolves' games against West Ham United and Ipswich Town last month, the goalkeeper did get another two games under his belt, but only due to an injury for Sa. Once the Portuguese goalkeeper was back, he immediately relegated Johnstone back to the bench.
He does have some pedigree behind him, though, with four England caps to his name - one as recently as October 2023. He was a part of the squad that made the Euro 2020 final, and was in a match day squad last March.
With all due respect to Forster, Johnstone definitely feels like a goalkeeper more capable of playing at this level. If a loan deal can be done, it feels like a no brainer. He would be more adequate cover in the absence of Guglielmo Vicario than Forster would be - and the only expenses of a loan deal would be the players wages - which likely won't be too big of an issue or stumbling block.
Were this to be a long term signing, and for a fee - eyebrow raising would be completely understandable. However, on a loan, as cover, until Vicario is back - this feels very sensible. Had Spurs made more uninspiring yet sensible transfers over the last few years, they'd be better equipped at currently handling their ridiculous injury crisis. This would, for sure, be a smart move to make.
Let's wait and see what happens.