If both Sam Johnstone and Pierluigi Gollini leave Aston Villa this summer, Steve Bruce will need to identify a new long-term number one.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce did not waste much time farming Pierluigi Gollini back to Italy after taking over at the Midlands giants.
The fresh-faced goalkeeper arrived in the summer after finishing bottom of Serie A with Hellas Verona but it quickly became apparent that thrusting an inexperienced goalkeeper into the choppy waters of the Championship was not a good idea.
Struggling to command his area and targeted by physical opponents, the wafer-thin shot-stopper returned home with Atalanta mid-way through his debut season after making one mistake too many for Bruce’s liking.
Pierluigi Gollini was once tipped to replace Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus
And, according to the Express and Star, Gollini’s Aston Villa adventure may be over already with Atalanta keen to make his 18 month loan deal permanent this summer.
That may come as something of a surprise. After all, the 22-year-old only made four league appearances for Gian Piero Gasperini’s youthful side as they upset the apple cart by finishing fourth in Serie A with the highest points tally in their history.
Bergamo Post claim that Atalanta could sign Gollini for just £2.6 million – almost half what Villa paid for his services twelve months ago.
Best laid plans…
Yet, even though The Telegraph claims Villa need to sell before they can buy this summer due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, perhaps they should be wary about jumping head first into a deal.
After all, it is far from certain that Sam Johnstone will still be at Villa Park next season after a fine loan spell from Manchester United.
The 24-year-old has plenty of Premier League interest with Leicester City, Watford and Everton keen on the £5 million-rated goalkeeper, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Sam Johnstone
Therefore, Villa’s plans are very much up in the air. And if Johnstone, the club’s potential long-term number one, moves elsewhere, they will need a contingency plan.
Perhaps they shouldn’t be so quick to cash in on Gollini.
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