According to Carlton Palmer, a former midfielder for Leeds and West Brom, Sunderland may consider replacing Jack Clarke this summer with Celtic winger Mikey Johnston.
With just over a year remaining on his Celtic Park deal, Johnson, 24, has scored six goals in nine Championship outings since joining West Brom on loan in January. Palmer thinks Johnson, along with Clarke and Canaries winger Jonny Rowe, may be a target for Sunderland or Norwich after an outstanding stint in England.
“Since joining on loan in the January transfer window, Mikey Johnston has continued to fly high for West Brom. In their most recent victory over Huddersfield, he scored his sixth goal for the team,” Palmer told Football League World. “He’s had an incredible experience since coming on loan from Celtic.”
“Yes, a lot of teams will be watching how he plays, so you’ll be looking at teams that are considering players moving on—Jack Clarke, Rowe, and others will be leaving, and Mikey Johnston may be considered as a replacement. But he’s loving his game and is having a great time at West Brom.
“With the new owners in place, who knows if West Brom would be able to pay him? He is still under contract with his parent club, Celtic, and there isn’t a cost written into his deal. However, considering his record, it’s safe to say that Sunderland, Norwich, and other potential Championship teams will be keeping an eye on the issue.
“Considering his performance in the Championship, I believe Celtic will be looking at at least £2m or £3m, so I don’t think Johnston will fall into Sunderland’s strategy of trying to sign young players and get them in cheap. We’ll find out at the end of the season whether Sunderland has the funds to pay for that, as Norwich has the funds to pay for Mikey Johnston. He has undoubtedly accomplished excellent things at West Brom and is gaining a lot of attention.
With five straight games without a loss, Carlos Corberan’s West Brom are vying for a play-off spot in the Championship standings.