West Bromwich Albion could lose backup goalkeeper Josh Griffiths this summer as Crystal Palace are weighing up a move for the shot-stopper, according to reports.
The Baggies are battling for promotion back to the Premier League this term under head coach Carlos Corberan and have opened up a four-point gap on seventh-place which could have been six following a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
Furthermore, the Midlands outfit currently boast the third-best defensive record in England’s second tier, having conceded 29 goals in just 30 league matches. A large factor behind this impressive record is goalkeeper Alex Palmer who has the joint-most clean sheets in the division alongside Leeds United’s Ilian Meslier with 13.
However, Palmer’s form in goal at The Hawthorns has meant that second-choice keeper Griffiths has seen limited game-time for West Brom this term. The 22-year-old academy product has yet to make a single appearance for the club in the Championship in this campaign, playing twice in the FA Cup and once in the EFL Cup. As a result, the former Portsmouth loanee has been linked with a move away from the club.
According to journalist Alan Nixon in The Sun, West Bromwich Albion face a battle to keep hold of Griffiths this summer as top-flight strugglers Palace have registered an interest in signing the former England U21s international.
Griffiths has entered into the final 18 months of a five-year deal and currently boasts a market value of £1 million, as per Transfermarkt, meaning the Baggies may be able to get a decent fee for him in the event of an exit.
Writer’s View
This happens all the time in football in goalkeeper pecking orders when the backup option is young and hungry for minutes. Palmer is still only 27 and has plenty of gas left in the tank, while Griffiths has had to feed off scraps by starting cup games once in a while.
However, Corberan’s side are now out of all knockout competitions, meaning Griffiths may not feature for the remainder of the campaign unless Palmer picks up an unprecedented injury. Perhaps he will look to start fresh at a new club by the summer window.
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