West Ham United keen on Manchester United goalkeeper

West Ham United are said to be planning a summer approach for Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with Joe Hart expected to return to Manchester City at the end of his loan stint.

Hart has been inconsistent with his performances since his loan move from the Etihad Stadium, and the Hammers' hierarchy have already passed up the opportunity of pursuing a permanent move for his services.

According to The Mirror, the east London outfit are now plotting a £4m deal for Johnstone, who is currently on a season-long loan with Championship side Aston Villa.

The Villains are said to have the first option to pursue Johnstone during the summer, but that may depend on whether they can attain promotion to the English top-flight next term.

Johnstone has kept 16 clean sheets in 39 league games for Villa this campaign, and he is being fancied to get his first taste of Premier League football when the 2018/19 season begins.

United opted to trigger a 12-month extension clause in Johnstone's contract earlier this year, but that was supposedly done to acquire a decent package from his sale in the summer.