"I think" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to West Brom, Mikey Johnston update | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing the transfer situation surrounding West Brom's Mikey Johnston.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes Mikey Johnston will still seal an exit from West Brom this summer, despite his proposed transfer to Flamengo breaking down.

The Republic of Ireland international was set to complete a £5 million move to the Brazilian giants, but the move stalled this week after it was originally reported that fan backlash in Rio was the cause.

Other reports stated that Johnston had failed a medical, but the Express & Star rebuffed those claims, revealing the 26-year-old was still in the UK at the time.

Now a Brazilian journalist has revealed the real reasons following conversations with the club's technical director, Jose Boto, who was behind the original interest in Johnston, which have been reported by the Express & Star.

The technical director explained there are two reasons that Flamengo backed out of the deal. He states that there has been an emergence of a 'better option', alongside concerns over the limit of foreign players in the squad.

Since then, Johnston has linked up with his Albion teammates in Austria for their pre-season camp, despite originally saying goodbye ahead of his proposed move to South America.

The Baggies are understood to be left in a “tricky scenario” by the move falling through, as receiving the £5 million fee up front would have eased concerns around PSR, an issue controlling shareholder Shilen Patel touched upon recently in an open letter to supporters.

Lee Hendrie backs Mikey Johnston to still make West Brom exit

With this news in mind, former Aston Villa midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has commented on what Johnston’s future looks like at The Hawthorns.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie still thinks Johnston will depart West Brom if a similar offer comes through, but believes Albion should be trying to keep hold of a player of his ability.

Hendrie said: “I think West Bromwich Albion are a side that can certainly attract players in the calibre of the likes of Mikey Johnston.

"So yes, I think that that will probably materialise again (interest in Johnston); there's no doubt if they can negotiate on the right price.

“I've always felt that that's been their downfall, West Brom, is that they need someone of his quality, and I'm sure that will reignite with this falling through.”

Mikey Johnston, West Brom exit is best for both parties

Johnston is sure to be disappointed that a move to Flamengo has failed to get over the line, with this being described as a life-changing deal.

The winger now goes back to Albion knowing he isn’t favoured by Ryan Mason, and it will be difficult to turn those first impressions around if he ends up staying at the club.

However, with the coffers needing to be filled, West Brom don’t have many saleable assets left other than Johnston, and if they can’t find a suitable replacement for the Irishman, then the next exit may have to be Tom Fellows, which is something the club will be looking to avoid.

With this, the Baggies are sure to be scrambling to find another bidder for Johnston, with his sale imperative to ensure the club aren’t sucked back into dangerous financial waters.

It seems only a matter of time before Johnston moves on, but it remains to be seen whether the Baggies will get a £5 million bid from any other club.