Brazilian giants Flamengo pounce for Irish winger Johnston

BRAZIL BOUND: Irish winger Mikey Johnston is on his way to Brazil after West Bromwich Albion accepted a £5m bid from Flamengo. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Irish winger Mikey Johnston is on his way to Brazil after West Bromwich Albion accepted a £5m (€5.97m) bid from Flamengo.

Express and Star are reporting that the 26-year-old won’t be part of the Baggies pre-season trip to Austria after the clubs brokered a deal that earns the Championship outfit a profit on the fee paid to Celtic last year.

Johnston (26) scored three goals in 41 appearances in all competitions in his first full season at the Hawthorns.

He was rested for Ireland’s June friendlies but will be expected to start the opening World Cup qualifier against Hungary on September 6 at Lansdowne Road.