The latest transfer news as Leeds United eye a Wolves star as a Newcastle ace proves too expensive.

Leeds United are reportedly ramping up their interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone ahead of a potential summer swoop.

The Lilywhites are eager to bolster their options between the sticks as their goalkeeping department has come under heavy scrutiny in the Championship this season due to a series of costly errors from Illan Meslier. Karl Darlow has recently leapfrogged Meslier as the first-choice shot-stopper but that’s not seen as a sustainable, long-term solution at Elland Road.

The Sun reports Johnstone is on Leeds’ radar and an approach is looking increasingly likely as other options on the shortlist - Burnley’s James Trafford and Newcastle United’s Nick Pope - are proving too dear and tricky to convince.

Johnstone, who only signed for Wolves from Crystal Palace last summer for a fee of £10 million, is seen as a decent alternative given his experience and pedigree. The 32-year-old has played four times for England and he’s made 73 appearances in the Premier League throughout his career, as well as 217 in the Championship.

Leeds, expected to be promoted to the English top tier alongside Burnley, will be hoping Johnstone can reach the Premier League form he has shown in the past. It’s not been an easy year for the goalkeeper as he has played just seven times for Wolves, conceding 17 goals and keeping no clean sheets, but he’s undoubtedly got talent.

The Sun’s report states Wolves will demand £10 million from Leeds or any other potential suitors as they seek to avoid making an unnecessary loss. It’s an understandable stance, especially as the Old Gold will have to take great care to remain in line with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

A product of Manchester United’s academy, Johnstone spent the bulk of his seven years at Old Trafford out on loan. Doncaster Rovers, Aston Villa and Preston North End were among the clubs to borrow his services before West Bromwich Albion tied him to a permanent deal in 2018.

A season at Crystal Palace followed four years at The Hawthorns, before Johnstone was recruited by Albion’s bitter local rivals, Wolves. It’s a shame it hasn’t worked out at Molineux but Jose Sa has returned to form at just the wrong moment for Johnstone.

Big summer ahead for Wolves

Having clinched Premier League survival on Easter Sunday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Manchester United, Wolves can now look ahead to next season without guilt. Vitor Pereira had the winter window to sign the likes of Emmanuel Agbadou, Marshall Munetsi and Nasser Djiga, but he’s yet to have a full summer to properly make his mark on the squad.

The 56-year-old head coach is expected to hold talks over extending his Wolves contract and he’s bound to be backed by the board in the transfer market as a result. He could have money to spend, too, as Matheus Cunha is likely to see his £62.5 million release clause activated, in turn bolstering the budget available. An important few months await.