"It looks likely...": Gold drops big Spurs transfer claim, it's a Paratici masterclass - opinion

Alasdair Gold has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur summer transfer target Sam Johnstone.

In a recent video posted on YouTube, the football.london journalist revealed that, following reports linking the 29-year-old with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium upon the expiry of his West Bromwich Albion contract this summer, it does indeed appear likely the England international will be linking up with Antonio Conte’s side ahead of Spurs’ 2022/23 campaign.

Gold also went on to state that Pierluigi Gollini looks set to return to Atalanta following the completion of his season-long loan deal, with it appearing unlikely that Fabio Paratici will activate the 27-year-old’s option to buy clause.

Regarding the future of both goalkeepers, the journalist said: “We know Gollini is probably going to go back to Atalanta. I can’t see Spurs spending the £11m or so on him, and it looks likely that Sam Johnstone is going to come in and he’ll replace [Gollini] as a homegrown player.”

Considering how disappointing Gollini has been for Spurs following his temporary switch to north London last summer, coupled with how talented a ‘keeper Johnstone evidently is, the fact that Paratici looks as if he will be returning the Italian and replacing him with the 29-year-old certainly appears to be a magnificent move by the sporting director.

Indeed, over Gollini’s four appearances in the Europa Conference League this season, the £9m-rated shot-stopper did little to convince Paratici he would be worth spending anywhere near £11m on him this summer, with the 27-year-old failing to keep a single clean sheet and shipping a total of six goals against Stade Rennais, NS Mura and Vitesse – averaging an extremely disappointing