Everton and Sunderland are reportedly keen on Aston Villa loanee Sam Johnstone.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone celebrates
According to The Telegraph, Everton and Sunderland are interested in snapping up Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone this summer.
Johnstone, 24, has come up through the ranks with United, but has yet to make his first team debut for the club having been loaned out on nine occasions.
The goalkeeper’s best spells came with hometown club Preston North End, but earlier this year he was sent to Aston Villa, with Steve Bruce landing him as a replacement for former United youngster Pierluigi Gollini.
After a poor start to life at Villa Park, Johnstone has impressed in recent games, including a man of the match performance in his last outing, a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
With five clean sheets in the last six games, Johnstone is now getting back to his best – and whilst Villa boss Bruce would love to keep hold of the former England under-21 ace, his performances appear to have triggered interest.
The Telegraph report that, with United looking for a £3million fee to sell Johnstone this summer, three Premier League clubs – Bournemouth, Everton and Sunderland – are all keen to sign him after his Villa loan ends.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
Bournemouth are looking for Artur Boruc’s long-term successor having missed out on Chelsea’s Asmir Begovic in January, whilst Sunderland could see Johnstone as a replacement for the in-demand Jordan Pickford – ironic given that Pickford replaced Johnstone at Preston in 2015, and then Johnstone returned in Pickford’s place at Deepdale in 2016.
Meanwhile, Everton have Maarten Stekelenburg and Joel Robles at Ronald Koeman’s disposal, but Johnstone could be a player to develop over the coming years at Goodison Park.
At just £3million, a Premier League club may well be willing to take a chance on Johnstone – but Villa and manager Bruce will be praying that they don’t.
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