Two Championship rivals in transfer battle for Celtic star with West Brom return unlikely

In June, it was claimed by Football Insider that West Brom were exploring a deal to bring Johnston back to the Hawthorns, but they were hit with a £6m asking price. Football Insider said that WBA were exploring both a loan and a permanent deal but things then went cold.

With just over a week left of the transfer window, things have began to heat up, but unfortunately it looks like Johnston won't be returning to the Hawthorns, or at least as a Baggies player. Various reports are linking Johnston with moves to Burnley as well as Sheffield United.

Football Insider said on Wednesday that the Clarets had been 'lining up a move' for Johnston. They are in the market for a new winger after selling Wilson Odobert and reported that Johnston featured highly on their transfer shortlist.

Another possible destination for Johnston has arisen however, as according to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are interested in signing former Birmingham City defender Auston Trusty from Sheffield United. He only joined the Blades from Arsenal last summer, and the Glasgow club are considering using Johnston as a makeweight in the deal.

The 25-year-old has been limited to just a 15-minute cameo this season from Celtic's first three matches of the campaign. He was an unused substitute against Kilmarnock, but then had a 15-minute cameo against Hibernian. A week later, he wasn't included in the Scottish League Cup tie against Hibs, and Brendan Rodgers revealed he could depart Celtic Park.

"I’m open at the moment in terms of where things are at," said Rodgers in a press conference last week.

"I gave Mikey his debut back when he was 18 and played him so we’ve got a good relationship and we talk openly.

“I think he’s at the stage, Mikey, where he’ll probably want to play more. But he’s worked hard over pre-season and put himself in a really good position.

“There are some clubs that have shown interest in him, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

“He won’t be available for the weekend. He’ll rejoin the training group fairly soon. He had a little problem with his eye socket up a bit deeper back in his face, but hopefully, he’ll be okay fairly soon.”

As for West Brom, they signed forward Lewis Dobbin on a season-long loan from Aston Villa this summer, and so their interest in Johnston has since waned. They have also been placed under an EFL-imposed business plan which would limit their transfer activity in this window. With the club working hard to remain within the EFL’s transfer rules, they are unlikely to be able to compete with Burnley and Sheffield United who have the luxury of parachute payments.