OPINION
Whoever is appointed as the next manager of West Ham United will have a big rebuilding job on their hands this summer, and a matter of priority will be bringing in a new goalkeeper.
Joe Hart was seen as a potential saviour for the Hammers in that role when he was brought in on loan last summer, but the England international looked a shell of his former self as he flitted in and out of the team all season.
His counterpart Adrian put in some decent performances in his stead, but the Hammers really need to look to the future with the Spaniard now 31 years old and courting interest from back home in Spain.
According to The Sun, Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is on the verge of another exit this summer after spending the last 18 months on loan at Aston Villa.
The newspaper report that the Villans are battling for a return for the 25-year-old stopper in the coming weeks, as are Cardiff City, who will be top-flight rivals for the Irons next season.
The Sun claim that both permanent and loan deals are on the cards for Johnstone, who has never played a senior match for parent club United.
A swoop for Johnstone this summer makes perfect sense for the Hammers, with the 25-year-old clearly ready to step up and prove himself in the Premier League.
Johnstone is widely seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship this season, keeping 22 clean sheets as Villa have made their way to next weekend’s play-off final against Fulham.
The United custodian is a world-class shot stopper, with much-improved distribution and handling, and would offer the Irons a long-term solution between the sticks.
A loan deal with an option to buy next summer would be perfect move for the club as they look to solve their goalkeeping problem, and whoever takes the reins must recognise that and hijack the interest in Johnstone before it is too late.
