If Vito Mannone leaves Sunderland a move for Manchester United ‘keeper Sam Johnstone seems even more likely… which means bad news for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce looks dejected
Just days after the BBC confirmed Sunderland had accepted a £30m offer from Everton for Jordan Pickford, they could be set to lose another goalkeeper.
According to Italian football journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio, Atalanta are keen on signing Vito Mannone over the summer after he has fallen out of favour at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland’s Vito Mannone
Mannone played just nine Premier League matches in 2016/17 as Pickford quickly became established as the number one choice between the sticks.
So should both stoppers leave, the Black Cats would be left with Mika as the only option – a ‘keeper who is yet to make a senior appearance after signing from Boavista in 2016.
Therefore a new goalkeeper seems a priority and the North East club have been linked by the Daily Mail with Manchester United’s Sam Johnstone.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
Johnstone impressed in the Championship in the latter half of last season while on loan at Aston Villa and it is reported that the Red Devils would allow him to leave for around £5m.
This would come as a major blow to Villa, whom the Birmingham Mail reported are keen to signing the 24-year-old themselves.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone looks on as Barnsley’s Tom Bradshaw (not pictured) scores their second goal
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