Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte will conduct a 'good piece of business' if he succeeds in welcoming West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to Hotspur Way, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Fabio Paratici was tasked with playing a key role in transfers following his appointment as the north Londoners' managing director last summer, and it appears Johnstone could be his first capture of the upcoming window.

What's the latest news involving Johnstone?

According to the Evening Standard, Tottenham are in pole position to sign Johnstone, who has been targeted by Conte as he looks to increase the number of homegrown players in his squad.

The report suggests Spurs are increasingly confident of landing the 6 ft 3 shot-stopper despite interest from Manchester United.

Johnstone, 29, came through the ranks at Old Trafford and even got his hands on the Premier League title - along with the League Cup and Europa League - during his time with the Red Devils.

Should he head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it will be as a free agent as Johnstone's £18,000-per-week West Brom contract is due to expire at the end of next month.

The three-cap England international made 36 appearances this season, but his efforts were not enough to guide the Baggies into contention for a return to the Premier League.

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What has Pete O'Rourke said about Johnstone?

O'Rourke believes Paratici and Conte will be pulling off a shrewd signing if they manage to win the race for Johnstone's services.

The journalist feels the West Brom goalkeeper will provide stiff competition for Hugo Lloris, Spurs' current first-choice option between the sticks.

O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "It looks like a good piece of business from Tottenham, Sam Johnstone on a free transfer.

"He is an England international, has got good experience and has played in the Premier League before as well.

"I think he's a good signing to provide cover and real serious competition for Hugo Lloris, probably for the first time in a long time at Tottenham. He will keep Lloris on his toes and if he is ever out of the team, they've got a more than capable deputy to come in."

Why are Spurs looking to sign a new goalkeeper?

Conte currently has three goalkeepers - in Lloris, Pierluigi Gollini and Brandon Austin - at his disposal, but at least one of them is likely to be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Gollini joined Spurs on a season-long loan from Atalanta, with the deal including an option to buy clause worth £12.9million.

But the north Londoners are unlikely to extend the Italian's stay beyond the end of the campaign after making just 10 appearances.

Gollini's inability to put pressure on Lloris for the number one jersey has resulted in the latter failing to miss a single minute of Premier League action this term.