West Brom forward 'turned down' major late January transfer to help Albion in Championship relegation fight

Mikey Johnston could have left West Bromwich Albion late on in the winter transfer window but decided to stay to commit to the Baggies’ plight.

As per our sister publication Express & Star, the Republic of Ireland international was the subject of interest from Turkish Super Lig giants Trabzonspor, who were ready to table a late bid. There was also a Premier League club keen on signing Johnston, while sides in the Championship had been keeping tabs on his situation.

Rumours emerged on deadline day that Sheffield United were amongst those keen and had even seen a bid rejected by West Brom for Johnston’s services. As it turned out, this wasn’t quite accurate, but it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Blades were one of the Championship clubs interested.

Even if a bid was made by Sheffield United, Trabzonspor or the unnamed Premier League side, Johnston wouldn’t have left. The £3 million summer 2024 signing, brought in after a successful initial loan spell, is committed to securing West Brom’s Championship status for next season. If and when that mission is complete, who knows what may happen with his future.

Johnston can be key in Albion relegation fight

You need players who are committed to the cause if you are to survive as dire of a situation as Albion have found themselves in, and Johnston is definitely one of those. Following Blackburn Rovers’ narrow 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night, the Baggies are now in the Championship relegation zone and it’s looking bleak.

New head coach Eric Ramsay needs a solution and he needs one fast. The Baggies haven’t won a single game since the turn of the year and they have lost five of their last six Championship matches, drawing only to Derby County. That, quite frankly, is relegation form and if it wasn’t for better results at the start of the season, West Brom would be in even deeper mire.

As it stands, Albion would only need one win to soar up four places to 18th. But that’s easier said than done when you’re winless in six Championship matches. To make matters worse, 20th-placed Portsmouth have two games in hand on West Brom and others in the fight, while Charlton Athletic, in 18th, have one extra fixture to play.

Johnston isn’t going to be able to carry Albion out of the relegation zone on his own, but he has arguably been the club’s best player this season. In 29 Championship appearances, the former Celtic winger has scored two goals and contributed nine assists. Johnston has also been in the division’s top 20% of wingers for chances created and shot attempts.

Ramsay has the bulk of the responsibility and he needs to pluck up his ideas and tactics sharpish, but Johnston is a player capable of winning matches in an instant with moments of genius. If he can find one of those soon, ideally against Stoke City or Birmingham in the next fortnight, then the outlook may improve.