With Aston Villa concentrating on Manchester City’s Joe Hart should Sunderland try and sneak to to sign Sam Johnstone from Manchester United.
In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Aston Villa have now been linked by the Birmingham Mail with a shock move for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Despite being deemed surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium, Hart is still the England number one and many would think therefore too good for the Championship.
England’s Joe Hart
However, with Villa concentrating on the 30-year-old, Sunderland should perhaps use the opportunity to get ahead in the race to sign Sam Johnstone from Manchester United.
The Daily Mail linked with the Black Cats with a move for Johnstone in June as a replacement for Jordan Pickford – who has since joined Everton in a £30m deal (BBC).
According to the Sun, with the 24-year-old now fourth choice for a place between the sticks at Old Trafford, the Red Devils would allow him to leave the club for just £2.5m.
For a stopper who impressed at Championship level last season while on loan at Villa Park, this seems like a good deal and one which could really soften the blow for Simon Grayson of losing Pickford.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
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