The Manchester United ‘keeper could be Middlesbrough-bound despite spending the second half of last season at Aston Villa.
Manchester United are ready to sell goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to Middlesbrough in a £2.5 million deal, The Sun reports [28 June, page 58].
Former Aston Villa loanee Sam Johnstone
However, it appears as though Middlesbrough could be about to win the race for his signature, in a deal worth half the £5 million quoted by The Birmingham Mail.
Boro have lost two senior ‘keepers this summer, with ex-Aston Villa man Brad Guzan returning to his native United States and Victor Valdes, the former Manchester United shot-stopper, released at the end of his contract.
It leaves new boss Garry Monk with a goalkeeping pool comprising 38-year-old Dimi Konstantopoulos and academy product Connor Ripley, who recently returned from a season-long loan spell at Oldham Athletic.
Both The Sun and Mirror linked Middlesbrough with a £3 million move for Sheffield Wednesday number 1 Keiren Westwood last week, however the Owls are unlikely to want to sell the Republic of Ireland international.
New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk
With Mark Bunn out of contract and Pierluigi Gollini due to spend the 2017-18 campaign with Atalanta, Aston Villa could begin pre-season with Jed Steer as their only senior option between the sticks.
Meanwhile, The Sun reports [28 June, page 58] that Middlesbrough have had two bids for Bury striker George Miller turned down.
Which goalkeeper should Aston Villa target if they miss out on Johnstone?
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