Stoke City set for potential transfer blow as West Ham circle

A number of Premier League clubs are interested in signing Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

One of the best shot-stoppers to have graced the second tier of late, the Swedish international only arrived at the bet365 Stadium last summer, but Stoke are already under threat of losing him.

The £1 million signing from Rotherham United is wanted by a number of top-flight outfits, according to Fabrizio Romano, with West Ham United named as one of the potential suitors.

Swedish outlet Sportsbladet have also linked the Hammers with having an interest in the 26-year-old. But, as yet, Stoke have rebuffed any approaches for Johansson.

Viktor Johansson attracting Premier League interest – West Ham are in the mix

That doesn’t mean that he will definitely stick around with Stoke, though. Romano has said that the ‘keeper can leave the club in the coming days and weeks.

Mark Robins’ side may feel less pressure from West Ham, though, because of their interest in another glovesman, John Victor. The Italian journalist has said that the London side are in “advanced talks” with Botafogo to sign the Brazilian.

Johansson kept 14 clean sheets in 46 Championship appearances last time out and prevented the second-most goals of any of the league’s shot-stoppers (10.94). He played a huge role in helping the Potters to steer clear of the bottom three.

Selling Viktor Johansson would be a huge loss for Stoke City

Stoke have already been dealt a transfer body blow this summer with the sale of Wouter Burger. He joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for around €4-5 million (~ £3.5 million-£4.4 million), as per John Percy, leaving Mark Robins without one of his best players – the departure of Johansson would signal something similar.

It hasn’t been stated how much the Potters would look to recoup for their star between the sticks, who signed a three-year deal with the club last summer, but they’d surely look to get a bigger profit from Johansson than they reportedly did from Burger.

Selling the 26-year-old would also leave Stoke’s recruitment department with the horrible task of replacing him, and right before the start of the season too.

Behind Johansson on the club’s goalkeeping depth chart are Jack Bonham and Frank Fielding, who would struggle to live up to what the Swedish international currently offers. City would have to lurch into the transfer market to find his replacement; a thankless task to say the least.