Midlands journalist Luke Hatfield admits he sees no reason for Sam Johnstone to sign a new contract at West Bromwich Albion.

The goalkeeper was linked with a move away from the club throughout the summer transfer window but no deal materialised.

West Ham United were reported to have tabled a bid for the player, worth around £10m.

That offer was rejected by the Championship club as they looked to retain the England international, perhaps in the hope that West Ham would return with a bigger offer.

Instead, they have signed Alphonse Areola on loan from French giants PSG, perhaps scotching any chance Johnstone may have had of making a move to the Premier League.

His contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season, and Hatfield has his doubts over why he would commit to a new deal.

He said: “All the talks from the club are suggesting that they’re pushing for a new deal for him, they’re in talks. For me, it would be surprising, if I was in Sam Johnstone’s position. This is no disrespect to Albion whatsoever but for him, I don’t see the benefit of signing a new deal.

“The only benefit for him is if he gets a wage increase, which he’d be deserving of by the way.

“I’m not too sure of what his contract situation was after going down, I don’t know if there was a wage cut, but for me, if I was Sam Johnstone, and I mean this in the nicest possible respect to Albion because I cover the club and it’d be fantastic to see him stay, I don’t see a reason for him to do so.”

Johnstone has been with the Baggies since 2018 and has made 134 appearances for the club, in the Championship and the Premier League.