Wolves make major goalkeeper decision as Sam Johnstone told he can leave before transfer deadline

Johnstone and José Sá. The key point is that Johnstone has now been given permission to leave before Tuesday’s deadline, while Peixoto still wants Sá to remain but accepts Wolves may need to act if he also departs.

*Wolves make major goalkeeper decision as Sam Johnstone told he can leave before transfer deadline*

Wolves head coach Cesar Peixoto has reportedly given Sam Johnstone the green light to leave Molineux before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, while admitting José Sá’s future remains uncertain.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a major decision on the future of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, with head coach Cesar Peixoto reportedly telling the experienced stopper that he is free to leave the club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

 

The latest development was reported by Talking Wolves on X, with the Wolves-focused account stating that Peixoto has informed Johnstone he can depart Molineux if a suitable opportunity emerges before the window closes.

The decision comes after Wolves dramatically reshaped their goalkeeping department over the past few days.

John Ruddy returned to the club on a free transfer, while Wolves also completed the signing of João Virgínia from Sporting in a deal worth around £1.3m. Virgínia has signed a three-year contract and adds further competition between the posts.

 

That has left Peixoto with a crowded goalkeeping department, with José Sá, Sam Johnstone, João Virgínia and John Ruddy all on the books.

 

And it now appears Johnstone is the goalkeeper most likely to make way.

 

Celtic interest adds to Sam Johnstone’s situation

 

Johnstone’s future had already become a major talking point before Friday’s latest development.

 

Reports from Scotland have claimed Celtic are considering a move for the 33-year-old, as Martin O’Neill continues to look for another experienced goalkeeper following Kasper Schmeichel’s departure. The Daily Mail report was subsequently picked up by several Scottish outlets.

 

Football League World also reported that Celtic were considering an approach for Johnstone with the transfer deadline approaching.

 

The timing could therefore be significant.

 

With Peixoto now reportedly prepared to let Johnstone leave, Celtic could have an opportunity to move quickly if they decide the former England international is the goalkeeper they want.

 

Johnstone has also previously attracted interest from clubs looking for an experienced goalkeeper, having spent much of his career playing at Premier League and Championship level.

But José Sá’s future is still not completely safe

While Johnstone appears to have been given the clearest exit route, Peixoto has not completely closed the door on a potential departure for José Sá.

 

The Wolves boss wants the Portuguese goalkeeper to remain at Molineux, but there is still a possibility that an offer could arrive for Sá before the window closes.

 

9That creates an intriguing situation for Wolves.

 

If Sá stays, Johnstone’s departure would make sense given the arrival of Virgínia and Ruddy.

 

But if Sá also leaves, Wolves could suddenly find themselves needing another goalkeeper despite having spent much of the summer trying to rebuild the position.

 

Peixoto has indicated that Wolves would have solutions available in the market should Sá leave, meaning the club are not completely unprepared for that possibility.

 

That stance is particularly important given Wolves’ recent goalkeeping activity.

 

Wolves have been planning for change

 

The goalkeeper situation has been developing for several weeks.

 

Earlier this month, Wolves’ own coverage confirmed that Sá and Johnstone had returned to training, while the club were still assessing their goalkeeping options.

 

Sá subsequently returned to the starting XI against Preston after Dan Bentley left for Coventry City. Peixoto had previously admitted that Wolves needed another solution in the goalkeeper position following Bentley’s departure and Johnstone’s injury.

 

The arrival of Virgínia and Ruddy has now changed the picture again.

 

Wolves officially confirmed Virgínia’s arrival, with Peixoto praising the goalkeeper’s experience of English football and his potential to contribute to the squad.

 

The club’s official preview for Saturday’s meeting with Stoke also lists Sá as expected to retain the number-one position, while noting that one of the new goalkeeper additions is likely to be involved in the squad.

 

Johnstone exit could now happen quickly

 

For Johnstone, the latest development could bring an end to an increasingly uncertain spell at Molineux.

 

The 33-year-old was already facing competition for minutes, and the arrival of two more goalkeepers has made his position even more difficult.

 

A move would also allow Wolves to reduce the size of their squad and potentially free up wages as Peixoto continues to reshape the team following relegation to the Championship.

 

There is already evidence that Peixoto has been willing to make difficult decisions regarding his squad. Earlier in the summer, Wolves made several players available for transfer, with reports indicating that either Sá or Johnstone was expected to leave.

 

Now, it appears that decision is becoming clearer.

 

The big question is José Sá

 

Johnstone may have been told he can leave, but Wolves fans could still have another goalkeeper saga to follow before Tuesday.

 

Will José Sá stay?

 

Peixoto wants him to.

 

But if the right offer arrives, the Wolves boss has admitted there are alternatives available.

 

And with the deadline rapidly approaching, Wolves could yet find themselves saying goodbye to one — or potentially both — of their established goalkeepers.

 

For now, though, the clearest message is that Sam Johnstone has been given the green light to find a new club.