Ex-Aston Villa star gives blunt verdict on West Brom's recruitment 'downfall' amid transfer exit claim

West Bromwich Albion are looking to make a flying start in the upcoming new Championship season with new head coach Ryan Mason at the helm, after the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant replaced interim manager James Morrison in the dugout.

The 34-year-old takes his first role in the top job after multiple spells acting as Spurs’ interim head coach and will have a major job on his hands as he attempts to lead Albion back towards a promotion push, after missing out on the play-offs last term.

With reinforcements needed, centre-back Nat Phillips has signed from Liverpool while striker Aune ‘Hulken’ Heggebo has joined in a £4.7m deal from Brann in Norway. But one potential exit deal is off, causing concerns around the club’s need to raise funds to avoid financial issues. A former Premier League and EFL star has given his verdict on the situation which surrounds the Baggies man.

Lee Hendrie believes Mikey Johnston will leave West Brom

Former Aston Villa player and current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes winger Mikey Johnston will leave the Hawthorns, despite a proposed move to Flamengo falling through. He was critical of West Brom, and said he believes selling players of Johnston’s quality has always been the Baggies’ “downfall”.

He told Football League World: “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.”

Though a £5m move to the Brazilian side, who starred in the Club World Cup and beat Chelsea in the group stage, has failed to come off, Johnston still may leave this summer amidst PSR concerns. Flamengo’s technical director said the move did not materialise for two reasons, as a ‘better option’ came up and the club had concerns over the number of foreign players in the squad.

Would a Mikey Johnston exit from West Brom be the right move?

It is believed that Johnston may not be favoured by new boss Mason if he is to remain at West Brom, particularly after his desire to leave the club culminated in the 26-year-old awkwardly saying goodbye to his Baggies teammates in anticipation of his Flamengo move.

From a club perspective, getting a £5m price for a player who registered just three goals and five assists in the Championship last season would be a piece of smart business. Having joined from Celtic for £3m last summer, to turn around a profit on Johnston would be difficult to turn down. The fact he may not have made the best first impression on the new manager makes a resolution over his exit paramount.

It remains to be seen whether another club is open to placing a £5m bid on the winger, otherwise the club may need to accept a lower price amidst their strong desire to keep hold of England U21 international Tom Fellows.