Burnley reportedly rejected a “derisory” bid from Villa for the England goalkeeper’s services.
Aston Villa have seen a bid for England goalkeeper Tom Heaton rejected by Burnley earlier this week, according to a Sky Sports News report.
The outlet claims that the Premier League new-boys’ opening move for the 33-year-old was to gauge the Burnley reaction, which was emphatic that the bid was too low and “derisory”.
In addition, it is believed that Villa have another goalkeeper – which Sky Sports does not name – on their radar due to an apparent difference in opinion between the coaches and the board.
Whilst boss Dean Smith and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler are big admirers of Heaton, Villa’s hierarchy have reservations about getting value for money for a player his age, entering the final year of his Burnley contract, and spent a long time on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury.
Overcoming setbacks
Heaton has been on the Clarets’ books since joining on a free transfer from Bristol City in the summer of 2013 and has made 200 appearances for them, including 22 last season (Transfermarkt).
The veteran stopper was out long term with a dislocated shoulder and then ended up second fiddle to Nick Pope as well having to compete against Joe Hart, so his future was in doubt as early as the end of last year.
However, after 476 days without playing a Premier League match, he returned in the win over West Ham in late December (The Telegraph) and, since then, has played every league game as captain (Transfermarkt).
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