Aston Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has joined on loan from Manchester United this season.
Villa signed Johnstone on loan from Manchester United for the second half of last season, and they managed to keep him for the whole term this time around.
Bruce feels that Johnstone has developed into a standout goalkeeper in the Championship now.
And the veteran boss insists that Villa will do everything they can to snap up Johnstone in the January transfer window.
“We are all aware of his ability, he has just got better and better, that’s what a young player does,” Bruce said.
“Playing week in week out has helped Sam Johnstone become a very, very good goalkeeper. We are doing our best to keep him if we can and we would love him to stay.
“I know he is very, very happy at the club and he enjoys playing week in week out which is the most important thing.”
Johnstone is unlikely to break into United’s first-team any time soon, as David De Gea currently holds the number one shirt.
Whether Jose Mourinho will be open to selling the 24-year-old remains to be seen though.
Villa are known not to have a huge transfer budget, as they have to fit in with Financial Fair Play.
Villa are currently in fifth place in the Championship table, with their next match coming against Derby County at Pride Park.
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