West Brom negotiations underway over exit – Technical director leading surprise transfer

Flamengo are in talks with West Bromwich Albion to sign Mikey Johnston, and plan to buy him outright this summer.

That’s according to journalist Venê Casagrande, who reports that the Brazilian side are targeting the 26-year-old and talks are ongoing. He is confirming reports from England regarding the surprise move for the West Brom winger.

According to his information, Flamengo and West Brom are in talks over the player and the Brazilian side want to buy him outright. There is no loan deal or anything else being proposed.

He states that the interest is coming directly from Flamengo technical director José Boto, who has been aware of the player since he played for Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal in 2022.

Johnston spent that season on loan with the Portuguese side from Celtic, having come through Celtic’s youth ranks earlier in his career. He managed three goals and five assists in 31 games for the club that season.

He then joined West Brom on loan in February 2024 before making the move permanent the August. He’s managed 10 goals and seven assists in 61 games for the club to date but now could be set for a surprise move to Brazil with negotiations underway with Flamengo.

West Brom ace set to make ‘life-changing’ move to Brazil, the Baggies will make £5m

Tony Mowbray was sacked back in April following a 3-1 home defeat to Derby County and the ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach has his work cut out to bring excitement back to the Black Country.

However, a recent development may just leave West Brom on the back foot heading into the new campaign and the Baggies will have to find a replacement if a deal does go through.

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Mikey Johnston closes in on move from West Brom to Flamengo

According to a report from the Express & Star, Brazilian giants Flamengo are making a move for Mikey Johnston.

A deal worth around £5m is being worked out between the two clubs, with Lewis Cox describing it as a ‘life-changing’ transfer for the winger.

The 26-year-old only became a permanent West Brom player last summer after a very successful loan spell at the club in 2023/24, but he struggled for consistency and his form was very patchy.

Nevertheless, Johnston does have the ability to be a difference-maker in games and his loss will be felt if the move does become reality.

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Mikey Johnston is not the only Championship player to have been of interest in Brazil in 2025

While this transfer is a bizarre one, it is not the first time this year that a Championship player has been targeted by a Brazilian side.

Josh Windass, who wants to leave Sheffield Wednesday, was the subject of interest from Santos back in January, as per talkSPORT. Although a move never came off, it’s interesting to see that South American clubs are taking note of England’s second tier.

Johnston has Champions League pedigree, having played in the competition for Celtic, and at 26 he is just entering his prime. Therefore, there is perhaps no better time for the winger to make the move and have a complete change in lifestyle.