Aston Villa loan star Sam Johnstone delivers verdict on future

Follow us on Google Discover

Sam Johnstone remains on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has told the club’s official website that he has not spoken to anyone at Manchester United regarding his long-term future.

Manchester Evening News reported earlier this week that Jose Mourinho’s side have triggered an extension to keep Johnstone beyond the end of the 2017-18 season, meaning Villa will have to pay to keep the 24-year-old.

The former Preston loanee’s original contract was set to expire in the summer, leaving Villa able to land Johnstone on a free but now it appears that they will have to fork out to land the impressive stopper.

But Johnstone claims he has not spoken to anyone at United regarding his future and stated that his position is to wait until the end of the campaign before enquiring as to his parent club’s position on the matter.

“I enjoy it here. I love playing football here and training every day,” Johnstone said. “But the truth is I’ve not spoken to anyone about it as of yet. My plan is to finish off this season and then see what Manchester United and Aston Villa’s position is on the matter.

“I want to keep playing football. I’m enjoying the number of games I’m playing. The Premier League is where you want to be week in, week out. At the moment, though, it’s very much a case of I’ve not spoken to anyone at United and we’ll see in the summer.

“I want that continuity. I had it from the end of last season into this season and I don’t want it to stop now. I want it to continue into the next campaign. That’s where I stand on it.”

Johnstone has been in excellent form for Villa, securing 14 clean sheets in 34 Championship outings for Steve Bruce’s side and conceding only 32 goals as the Villans remain in third place.

The Daily Mail claim United have slapped a £5million price tag on Johnstone’s head, and it may be that Villa will have to fork out the seven-figure fee in order to land the goalkeeper permanently after 18 months on loan at Villa Park.