Aston Villa are hoping to bring Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone back to the club on a permanent deal.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone celebrates
A report in the Express and Star has suggested that Aston Villa want to try and conclude a permanent deal for Sam Johnstone as quickly as possible as a number of Premier League clubs are interested in the Manchester United stopper.
Johnstone is currently on loan with the Championship side and has experienced vastly contrasting fortunes with the Villans. After a slow and disappointing start, the 23-year-old has fought back to keep five clean sheets in his last six games for Steve Bruce’s men.
Unsurprisingly therefore, Bruce is keen to try and bring Johnstone in permanently this summer, with the Express and Star reporting that a £3 million bid is being prepared.
Despite there being a significant part of the season still to play, Villa want to get a deal done quickly as the Express and Star adds that a handful of Premier League clubs are monitoring his situation.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
While the Express and Star does not name any of the clubs considering challenging Villa for the stopper’s signature – and thus, it is difficult to fully assess Villa’s chances of pulling a deal off – staying with the Villans would appear to be a smart idea.
He is currently enjoying regular first-team football in Bruce’s side, and obviously, the Midlands outfit have the potential to re-establish themselves back at the highest level anyway so perhaps staying put would provide Johnstone with the best chance of ultimately being number one for a top flight team anyway.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
