Tottenham opens the door for Erik ten Hag to jumpstart Manchester United’s summer with a free transfer
Erik ten Hag could get a free run at one of the club’s key goalkeeper targets, with Tottenham Hotspur looking elsewhere following previous links with Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone, who began his career at Old Trafford, is a free agent after his contract with West Bromwich Albion expires.
Spurs were ready to compete with United for the England international, who was dropped by Baggies coach Steve Bruce in April and did not play the rest of the Championship season.
Spurs are looking for a homegrown goalkeeper, with on-loan Pierluigi Gollini not likely to stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beyond this season, and Manchester United backup Dean Henderson still attracting Premier League interest.
Rather of adding Johnstone to their ranks, the London club appears to be targeting Southampton keeper Fraser Forster.
Like Johnstone, Forster’s contract expires at the end of the season. Southampton are willing to let the former Celtic goalkeeper leave, and Spurs have made him a target ahead of the new season, according to The Athletic.
This season, the 34-year-old has played in more Saints games than in any other season since 2016-17.
He came into the lineup in December after Alex McCarthy was injured, and he has held his spot ahead of former Chelsea player Willy Caballero.
Despite his recall, England international Forster has been permitted to finish out his contract. “Absolutely, there are a lot of arguments for [extending his stay at St Mary’s] and I am sure that we find with him a very good solution for the future,” Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said in April (per Hampshire Live ).
“I’ve had a word with Sam,” Bruce said upon deciding to leave the 29-year-old out of his team. “Sam looks as if he’s decided to let his contract run down and that is his prerogative. We haven’t been able to get him a deal, so I’ll have a look at [David] Button and see how he does.
“With five games left, it’s only right that David plays. We’ve chopped and changed a little bit. That is pretty normal.
“What will make the headlines will be the goalkeeping situation. Sam’s been a great servant to this club but we have to accept that he’s decided not to sign his contract and we wish him the best of luck.”
Johnstone was a member of Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup-winning squad in 2011, alongside Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba.
Despite being named to the bench for Champions League and Europa League matches, he never played for the Red Devils.
If Spurs’ approach for Forster gives United a clear shot at Johnstone, it will help incoming manager Erik ten Hag to get a deal done quickly as he prepares for a busy summer.
Henderson might yet leave, with Newcastle United interested, with Ten Hag’s team connected with a number of outfield possibilities.
As many as ten players might be released as the Dutch manager evaluates his roster, and there have been indications of interest in players from his old club Ajax.
Nemanja Matic has already stated his intention to go, and a number of players are expected to follow suit, while Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is among the current Ajax group linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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Tottenham opens the door for Erik ten Hag to jumpstart Manchester United’s summer with a free transfer
