'Very close' - Journalist drops significant Palace claim involving 'one of the best' live on air

Crystal Palace are on the verge of singing England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook. 

Set to become a free agent at the end of the month, Johnstone has previously attracted the attention of West Ham United, Newcastle United, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Palace recently emerged as the main protagonist for the 29-year-old’s signature as Patrick Vieira attempts to bolster the goalkeeping department at Selhurst Park.

Despite an apparent lull in the proceedings, it’s now been claimed that Johnstone remains on course to arrive in South East London in the near future…

Speaking live on talkSPORT during his transfer notebook segment, Crook suggested that the three-cap England man is set to become a Palace player when his contract expires at West Brom.

He said: “I was told a couple of weeks ago that Crystal Palace are very close to signing Sam Johnstone, I’ve got no reason to believe that is off course.

“I think if he went there he would go as number one as well.”

Snapping up a goalkeeper of Johnstone’s calibre to compete with and perhaps usurp 35-year-old Vicente Guaita would be a superb piece of business from the club.

Despite suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2020/21, the former Manchester United academy prospect caught the eye with some standout displays for West Brom, earning high praise from former Palace boss Sam Allardyce, who hailed the stopper as ‘one of the best’ following a 1-1 draw against Liverpool.

Johnstone continued to impress in the Championship last season, making on average 1.6 saves per game whilst keeping an impressive 15 clean sheets in what was a disappointing campaign overall for West Brom.

As a free transfer, this deal would make an