Pundit: Leeds backed to ‘capitalise’ on West Brom relegation and sign Johnstone after Telegraph report | OneFootball

Noel Whelan has claimed Leeds United “have to capitalise” on West Brom’s relegation and sign Sam Johnstone this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Whites and Middlesbrough striker claimed the 27-year-old goalkeeper would strengthen Marcelo Bielsa’s side even though Illan Meslier has had a “great” season.

Albion’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Sunday after a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.

According to The Telegraph, the Baggies will demand £20million for Johnstone this summer with Manchester United, Spurs and West Ham interested.

No goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues has made more saves than the Baggies’ shot-stopper this season (161). (Wyscout)

Whelan wants Leeds to join the race for Johnstone with Leeds’ number two Kiko Casilla set to be shown the exit door at the end of the season.

“I would look to sign Sam Johnstone,” he told Football Insider. “We could do with another goalkeeper.

“Johnstone is somebody who you could not ignore after the season he has had. You would have to think long and hard about signing him.

“You don’t look too far past Meslier at the moment but he is young and he will have his moments.

“He has been great this season though. I find it incredible that he still doesn’t have a France Under-21 cap. They must have some serious goalkeepers coming through in France.

“I feel that it is a position that we could do with strengthening in and Johnstone would certainly add to our squad.

“You have got to pick the best fruit off of the trees of the relegated sides. We have to capitalise.”

In other news, Leeds United would face ‘disaster’ if they sold star performer to Premier League rival as Liverpool ‘ask for information’.