Wolves and Sunderland could soon strike a transfer agreement.
Sunderland are reportedly plotting an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Sam Johnstone after missing out on Marcin Bulka.
The Black Cats were in advanced talks to sign Bulka from OGC Nice but the Poland international opted to join Saudi Pro League club Neom SC instead. It would’ve been a bargain deal had Sunderland lured Bulka as he cost just £12.7 million after a superb season in Ligue 1, but there are alternatives out there who could also be great buys.
One of those could be Johnstone, albeit on loan rather than permanently. The four-time former England international only signed for Wolves last summer for £10 million from Crystal Palace but has hardly played, starting just 10 matches across all competitions in 2024/25 and conceding 19 goals. Having preserved just one clean sheet, Johnstone is very much behind Jose Sa in the pecking order at Molineux.
Sunderland transfer makes perfect sense
There could be a great solution in the form of moving to the Stadium of Light, though, with a loan transfer arguably the ideal approach. There’s a real possibility it happens, too, as The Sun reports Sunderland want to sign Johnstone so he can compete with current number one Anthony Patterson for game time.
The Black Cats are reportedly preparing what’s described as an ‘ambitious’ loan offer, eager to tempt Wolves into accepting as Johnstone has three years left on his contract. It could make perfect sense as the goalkeeper isn’t going to get any proper game time at Molineux at the moment and his market value could be preserved by playing regularly at Sunderland instead.
Goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler is said to be heavily involved in this deal as the former Wolves man, who recently moved to Sunderland to work under Regis Le Bris, has worked with Johnstone twice before. Cutler coached the shot-stopper at both Aston Villa and Wolves and was seriously impressed with his work. A reunion could now be on the cards on Wearside.
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