Matija Sarkic has bid an emotional farewell to Aston Villa on Twitter amid speculation linking the now free-agent goalkeeper with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers or Sunderland.
If this highly-rated 22-year-old was contracted to almost any other Premier League club, he would surely be heading into 2020/21 with a real chance of breaking into the first-team picture.
But, despite the departure of Pepe Reina to AC Milan, Aston Villa have no shortage of quality options between the sticks.
Tom Heaton is set to return sooner rather than later after six months on the sidelines, with the England international set to battle Orjan Nyland and Jed Steer for a place in Dean Smith’s XI.
As a result, a Grimsby-born Montenegro international (yes, you read that right), has been forced to look elsewhere in pursuit of a place in the senior game.
Speaking on Twitter this weekend, Sarkic has confirmed that his time at Villa Park is up, five years after he moved to the former European champions from Anderlecht.
Though Sarkic might not have to wait long to find his next club.
The Express and Star reports that the former Wigan Athletic loanee has been in talks with Villa’s Midland neighbours Wolves for a month now.
Though, with Rui Patricio, John Ruddy and the highly-rated Andreas Sondegaard all at Nuno Espirito Santo’s disposal, a first-team berth at Molineux will not exactly be handed on a plate to one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in Britain.
The Express and Star adds that Sarkic could be sent out on loan next season with Sunderland in need of a man capable of replacing the departed John McLaughlin on Wearside (Sun, 24th May, page 59).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
