Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is reportedly set to sign for Aston Villa on loan – and could make it permanent for £2million.
According to The Sun, Aston Villa could sign Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone for £2million after he has completed a loan deal with the club.
Villa snapped up a goalkeeper over the summer as Pierluigi Gollini left Italian side Hellas Verona to become Villa’s first-choice stopper under former Villa boss and fellow Italian Roberto Di Matteo.
However, Gollini has struggled to make an impression at Villa Park, and has been dropped to the bench in favour of Mark Bunn by manager Steve Bruce.
Sam Johnstone in action for Manchester United
Bunn has never shown that he’s a long-term option for Villa though,and after an error allowed Leeds United to score in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park last week, Villa look set to bring in a new goalkeeper.
The Birmingham Mail report that Villa have beaten a number of clubs to the signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, with the 23-year-old set to join the club now the January transfer window is open.
Sam Johnstone
Whilst United manager Jose Mourinho is willing to let Johnstone leave Old Trafford on loan, The Sun now claim that Johnstone could complete a £2million permanent move to Villa Park at the end of the season.
Johnstone has yet to make even one appearance for United despite being on the books with the Red Devils for the duration of his career, but impressed in two loan spells with Preston North End.
Some fans may worry that Villa are bringing in an inexperienced goalkeeper to challenge with Gollini, but Johnstone can become the long-term shot stopper that Villa have been looking for.
A commanding goalkeeper and superb shot stopper, Johnstone has huge potential, and has shown in limited playing time that he can solve Bruce’s problems between the sticks, though his distribution could improve.
At £2million – half of what Villa paid for Gollini – this could be the deal Villa have been seeking, and Bruce will be hoping that Johnstone hits the ground running at Villa Park once his loan deal goes through, especially with a permanent option seemingly in the pipeline.
Would you be happy to see Villa sign Johnstone?
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