West Brom want to lure Sam Johnstone away from Midland rivals Aston Villa – but Steve Bruce’s side have identified Newcastle stopper Darlow as an alternative.
As much as Aston Villa are desperate to sign Sam Johnstone on a permanent basis from Manchester United, it makes sense for Steve Bruce to sound out a few alternatives if the January transfer window does not go to plan.
According to The Sun, Villa want to keep the 24-year-old goalkeeper after an excellent 12 months on loan at Villa. But this may be easier said than done with Midland rivals West Brom willing to pay £4 million to tempt United into a sale – a fee the cash-strapped Villa simply cannot match right now.
It is understood, however, that Villa do have a back-up option in mind. The same report claims that if the unthinkable happens and Johnstone departs in the New Year, Villa boss Steve Bruce will attempt to bring in Karl Darlow from Newcastle United.
Darlow was in inspired form last season as Newcastle won the Championship title but looked to be on his way out after losing his place in the starting XI in 2017/18.
Villa’s reported interest, however, emerged before Darlow seized the number one jersey back from Rob Elliot. The former Nottingham Forest youngster has now started each of Newcastle’s last four Premier League games, although he hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory at times.
Nonetheless, with Darlow seemingly established as Newcastle’s first-choice for now, are Villa in a position where they could lose their top January target and then their primary back up option too?
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