West Brom fans must be baffled by Derby County transfer news | OneFootball

Mikey Johnston's links with Derby County won't make much sense to West Brom fans

West Brom have begun the 2026/27 campaign brilliantly, navigating a couple of difficult opening games and leaving with maximum points in both.

There'd have been some questions surrounding whether the Baggies' form towards the tail end of last season under then-interim head coach James Morrison was just an extended new manager bounce.

But the small evidence of his West Brom side now as permanent head coach has those in the stands at the Hawthorns quite optimistic about the campaign ahead.

So far, the Baggies have done some brilliant business in the transfer window. Jimmy-Jay Morgan has wasted no time acclimatising to the Championship, with a goal and two assists in a couple of games, and on the outgoings, there haven't been too many disappointing departures.

Derby County reportedly interested in West Brom's Mikey Johnston

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Therefore, it would have come as quite the shock to West Brom fans when Alan Nixon reported on Sunday that Derby County were interested in signing Mikey Johnston.

The 27-year-old has had his ups and downs already at the Hawthorns in just two-and-a-half years at the club.

Following an electric loan spell in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, netting seven and assisting two in 20 games, he followed that up with a three-goal, five-assist term in 40 league outings in his first full year at the club.

However, last season, Johnston was a rare attacking positive in a campaign filled with shortcomings in front of goal. His nine assists placed him fourth in the entire Championship, and an ankle injury stopped him from playing any part in their unbeaten run under Morrison.

The Irishman has hardly played under the new boss, and Baggies fans will have plenty of reason to want to see him involved this year, rather than moved on.

West Brom shouldn't improve Derby County even further by sanctioning Mikey Johnston exit

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Derby have already done some shopping at the Hawthorns this summer, bringing in Championship veteran midfielder Alex Mowatt for a fee in the region of £600,000 and £700,000.

While West Brom have solid midfield options outside of the 31-year-old, Mowatt's 400+ games of second-tier experience can't be understated. With Jed Wallace leaving in the summer, he was tipped by James Morrison to have worn the captain's armband this season.

The start to Derby's year hasn't been as positive as West Brom's, but there's little doubting that both went into the campaign as sides who would have been seen as outsiders to break into the top eight.

After allowing Mowatt to leave, strengthening a rival in the process, letting Johnston follow suit and giving the Rams some much-needed wide threat in their squad could lead to John Eustace's side overtaking West Brom as the campaign goes on.

Selling Mikey Johnston with a week remaining in the transfer window would be an odd decision for West Brom to make

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If West Brom were to entertain any offers for Johnston as the transfer window winds down, it would be intriguing to see how much the Baggies would demand for the Irishman's services.

After all, the 27-year-old was close to joining Brazilian side Flamengo this time last year for £5 million after a disappointing campaign. Now, after one where Johnston has re-established himself as a premier creative option, he'd surely be worth around double at this stage.

John Eustace has been backed well in the transfer window by David Clowes, but with the Saudi-led investment bid falling through, the Rams may not be able to reach the asking price that the Baggies would set.

That being said, West Brom should definitely be adopting a not-for-sale attitude at this point in the window, which slams shut next Tuesday. More natural wide options may be on the wish list at the Hawthorns, but selling one of their only remaining wingers would provide more headaches than it's worth as August comes to an end.

Mikey Johnston could help West Brom maintain promotion form when he returns

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Johnston's creative spark helped push a relatively turgid Baggies side along at times last season. Now, with a refreshed frontline and the likes of Morgan and a second-season Aune Heggebo to supply, the 27-year-old could see those already impressive numbers increase.

And, as mentioned, the Irishman has hardly been able to play under Morrison. His ankle injury was suffered in the then-interim's first game in charge.

While he has been available for the first two games of this season, he only managed 25 minutes off the bench in the EFL Cup win against Rotherham United, and wasn't used on opening day before an ankle injury recurrence stopped him from making the squad against Burnley.

With Johnston fully fit, Isaac Price, who has deputised well off the left, could move back into a more natural central role, and the overall attacking quality of the squad would improve.