Ex-West Bromwich Albion midfielder Carlton Palmer believes it could be a 'win-win' for both the club and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone if he remains with the club until at least the end of the season, speaking to This is Futbol.

The 28-year-old, who was one of the Baggies' standout players in the Premier League last term, is out of contract next summer and has generated interest from the likes of Premier League sides Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks.

This has come after months of speculation over his future at The Hawthorns in the summer, with the West Midlands side being relegated back to the Championship and top-flight quartet Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham all previously thought to be monitoring his services.

He was even the subject of a £6m bid from the latter in the summer, an offer Albion officials rejected before the Hammers pursued and recruited Paris St-Germain's Alphonse Areola instead.

But despite him remaining in the Championship, he has still enjoyed great success at an international level with England after impressing the Three Lions' coaching staff in the summer and has started in recent World Cup qualifiers against Andorra.

Contract talks between the Baggies and Johnstone have reportedly stalled as things stand - but staying with the West Midlands side until at least the end of the 2021/22 campaign is something former West Brom man Palmer believes could be beneficial for both the player and the club.

Speaking in an interview with This is Futbol, he said: "Obviously Sam wants to play in the Premier League.

"If West Brom decide that they don’t want to sell him in the January transfer window, as long as he’s playing, I think he will be back in the Premier League at the end of the season.

"I honestly believe West Brom will get promoted, so it might be a win-win for all parties."

The Verdict:

This is something Johnstone will need to weigh up ahead of the January transfer window, because Matheus Pereira was successful in pushing for a move in the summer and the shot-stopper could also be if he wants to force a transfer.

However, his side are currently in a good situation after their win in the West Midlands derby against Birmingham City - and it may benefit him just to stay until the end of the campaign now just so he can focus on his performances.

England manager Gareth Southgate has shown he's still willing to place his faith in the 28-year-old despite his drop to the Championship, so a loss of form and/or concentration that could jeopardise his place in the Three Lions' squad could be costly.

Aaron Ramsdale is now the first-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal, Jordan Pickford is likely to remain as number one and the likes of Nick Pope and Dean Henderson will always be fighting for a first-team spot, so it's important he maintains his current performance levels for club and country.

He is likely to be in the Premier League with or without West Brom next season though, so promotion will be vital in the Baggies' quest to keep hold of one of their prized assets. Losing him for free next summer would be a massive blow.