Wolves ‘close’ to sudden signing of £10m Nottingham Forest and Leicester City target

The Old Gold are reportedly finalising the details to acquire the services of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Gary O’Neil has been determined to land a new shotstopper with better passing ability than Jose Sa and believes Johnstone is the man. Aaron Ramsdale has been linked over recent weeks but it’s a different England international set join make his way to Molineux.

This is according to The Athletic, with an agreement said to be close between Wolves and Palace for Johnstone. It’s reported that the clubs are working towards compromising on a fee of around £10 million.

It’s also stated that Leicester City and Nottingham Forest have recently displayed an interest in signing Johnstone. But Wolves are expected to beat their Premier League rivals to land the glovesman’s signature.

Johnstone, who joined Palace from Wolves’ bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion two years ago on a free transfer, still has three years left on his current contract after signing an extension last year. He’s become second fiddle to Dean Henderson, though, and is surplus to requirements.

An elbow injury at the tail end of last season recently stumped Johnstone’s progress - and moved him behind Dean Henderson in the pecking order - but he remains a top ‘keeper. The 31-year-old hopes regaining a starting status elsewhere will give him the chance to propel himself back into the England setup.