Aston Villa have reportedly struck a deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa have struck an agreement with Manchester United over a loan deal for goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Villa allowed Brad Guzan to join Middlesbrough over the summer, with Pierluigi Gollini arriving from Hellas Verona to become Roberto Di Matteo’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
However, not only has Di Matteo now been replaced by new manager Steve Bruce, but Gollini has endured his fair share of ups and downs at Villa Park, and backup goalkeeper Mark Bunn has yet to prove himself as a first-choice stopper for Villa.
Many expect Bruce to bring in a new goalkeeper, and it seems that he’s ready to raid his former club Manchester United to sign goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, with the Birmingham Mail reporting that an agreement is in place to take him on loan.
Sam Johnstone in action for Preston
The 23-year-old goalkeeper, has spent his entire career on the books at United, but has been farmed out on loan on a number of occasions, joining Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Walsall, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers (twice) and Preston North End (twice).
Johnstone has yet to play for Manchester United, but his impressive displays on loan at Football League clubs led to the Red Devils giving Johnstone a new contract until the summer of 2018.
Jose Mourinho does seem willing to let Johnstone leave on loan in January though, and it’s claimed that he will be heading to Villa Park once the transfer window opens.
The report adds that Villa’s goalkeeper coach Gary Walsh, who Bruce appointed in October, has played a huge role in picking Johnstone as Villa’s top transfer target, and the hard work appears to have paid off, with Johnstone seemingly heading to Villa Park.
Would you be happy to see Villa sign Johnstone?
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