Matija Sarkic will leave Aston Villa on a free at the end of the season after holding talks over a shock move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to the Birmingham Mail.
It’s fair to say those of a claret and blue persuasion have been forced to watch on with envy as Wolves soar towards the upper reaches of the Premier League, playing some of the best football in England along the way.
But if there is one area where Aston Villa can consider themselves to be genuinely superior to their Midland rivals, it is between the sticks.
When John Ruddy leaves Molineux this summer, Wolves will have just one senior goalkeeper at their disposal.
Villa, meanwhile, have so many talented shot-stoppers that a 22-year-old international is being allowed to walk away for absolutely nothing.
Montenegrin giant Sarkic will become a free agent when 2019/20 comes to an end.
And while the academy graduate is highly regarded by fans and coaches alike, a lack of first-team opportunities at Villa Park means a parting of the ways is for the best.
Though Aston Villa’s failure to tie him down to a long-term contract will surely come into question if Sarkic makes the short trip to Wolverhampton and challenges Rui Patricio for a place in Nuno’s starting XI.
The Express and Star claims that Sarkic is in talks over a move to Wolves, where he could become the back-up option behind an experienced Portugal international.
A Sunderland side who lost Jon McLaughlin to Rangers have also been linked (Sun, 24 May, page 59). If it’s first-team football he wants, then perhaps Sarkic would be better off taking a step backwards.
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