Report: 29-year-old eyeing Aston Villa exit as Gerrard nears £7m signing

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Aston Villa’s attempts to bring Robin Olsen back to the Premier League from Roma has fellow goalkeeper Jed Steer considering his future, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.

Emi Martinez might have endured the lowest moment of his Villa career on Saturday – Bruno Fernandes taking some measure of revenge for that infamous penalty miss – but do not expect to see the £20 million shot-stopper sulking next to Ashley Young and Kortney Hause on the Villa bench next weekend.

Martinez remains nigh-on undroppable.

So much so that Steer, Villa’s long-serving back-up, has only played one Premier League game since Martinez arrived from Arsenal in the summer of 2020.

And that single appearance – September’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea – only came about because his team-mate was in COVID-enforced quarantine following a trip to South America.

When will Aston Villa sign Robin Olsen?

Aston Villa are set to reinforce their goalkeeping ranks this week too. Olsen, the experienced Sweden international, should be unveiled in the coming days.

The £7 million Roma shot-stopper has endured a difficult spell on loan at Sheffield United so far this season. He is expected to cut his time at Bramall Lane short before heading to Birmingham.

“There’s potential on that but nothing as yet,” Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom said when asked about Aston Villa’s Olsen interest.

“It’s one of the situations we’re monitoring. But nothing’s happened yet. There’s been speculation about Robin but it’s in our hands.

“The only way he can go is if we have a replacement.”

There are still obstacles that must be overcome, then. But it would be a major surprise if Olsen doesn’t join Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Kerr Smith at Villa Park before the month is out.

According to the Birmingham Mail, 29-year-old Steer could look to leave if – or when – the former Copenhagen talisman arrives.

Steer has taken in previous loan spells at Charlton, Doncaster and Huddersfield. Another temporary departure would provide him with the sort of regular first-team action he just isn’t going to get at Villa Park.