Everton will reportedly rival Aston Villa for the signing of Sam Johnstone.
The Express and Star have reported on Thursday that Aston Villa’s attempts to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone may be scuppered by Everton.
The 24-year-old impressed at Villa Park last season after joining the Villans on loan in January.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has already spoken to Jose Mourinho about bringing the young stopper back to the West Midlands next season as another loan seemed on the cards.
But The Express and Star have reported that Everton could complicate the deal by throwing their name in the ring for Johnstone.
However, the report goes on to suggest that Mourinho is having second thoughts in regards to offloading the keeper, due to Real Madrid’s renewed interest in number one goalkeeper David De Gea.
Everton have Joel Robles and Maarten Stekelenburg, but manager Ronald Koeman is thought to be in the market for further options between the sticks.
Pierluigi Gollini, signed by axed Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo last summer, spent the second half of last season on loan with Atalanta in Serie A and it remains to be seen whether he is returning to Villa Park.
Should it come down to a decision between Villa and the Toffees, Johnstone, yet to make a Premier League appearance for United, may well punt for the Merseyside club as a result of their top-flight status.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
