West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has put contract talks on hold in order to focus on promotion back to the Premier League, according to a report.
The 28-year-old's contract runs out in the summer of 2022, when he would be available to leave on a free transfer.
West Brom had been hoping to tie down the England goalkeeper to a new contract after the transfer window had closed, but according to The Sun, Johnstone has now put those talks on hold.
Johnstone impressed in a struggling West Brom side during his first season of Premier League football last term, despite the Baggies ultimately suffering relegation back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Johnstone's performances, and West Brom's relegation, prompted a host of top-flight clubs to register an interest in the goalkeeper, but no move materialised in the summer transfer window.
West Ham United were reportedly the only side to make an official bid, but that fell well below West Brom's asking price, and the goalkeeper stayed put.
There is still a chance that the former Manchester United man could remain at The Hawthorns beyond next summer, with the report suggesting that he is delaying in order to see if the Baggies challenge for promotion back to the top flight.
Johnstone's form last season earned him his first England cap in a friendly victory over Romania in May, before being part of Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2020, although he failed to make an appearance.
Matthew Tranter
