By Sam Stone

24th Jun, 2022 | 11:53am

Alex Crook: Portsmouth very close to signing West Brom keeper Josh Griffiths on loan

Portsmouth are “very close” to signing West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths on loan, according to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook.

The 20-year-old keeper spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Cheltenham Town where he won League Two promotion and the Robins’ young player of the season award.

Griffiths spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at League One side Lincoln City.

It now looks like the West Brom keeper will now head back out on loan to League One with Pompey boss Danny Cowley looking to replace Gavin Bazunu in the Pompey net.

Surprise

The 20-year-old heading out on loan again does seem a bit of a surprise with there potentially being an opportunity for the youngster to make a claim for the number one shirt at The Hawthorns.

What the Baggies can be assured of is that the keeper is in good hands with Cowley at Fratton Park.

The Pompey manager was instrumental in Bazunu’s development last season, with the 20-year-old going on to become Ireland’s number one and secure a £12.6million move from Manchester City to Southampton.

With Griffiths’ contract running until the summer of 2025 it does seem likely that this will be his last loan move before really staking a claim for the number one shirt in Steve Bruce’s side.

The 20-year-old has an array of experience for such a young age and will come back an even better goalkeeper after his spell at Fratton Park.

For now, this is a loan move that makes sense, however, if he is sent out on loan again next season then the youngster should seriously contemplate his Baggies’ future.

In other Football Wonderkids news, Simon Adingra is set for Brighton medical.