Aston Villa hoping to seal Sam Johnstone deal as transfers set to accelerate
Villa are hopeful of a breakthrough in their pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone over the coming days.
The 24-year-old is expected to make a decision on his future shortly, with Villa boss Steve Bruce having made clear he wants the shot-stopper to return after a successful loan spell on loan from January until the end of the season.
Johnstone is not short of offers, with Watford, Leeds and Sunderland among several clubs who have been linked. But Bruce is hoping the guarantee of being the club’s No.1 will prove decisive, with another loan deal the most likely option at this stage.
Johnstone made 24 appearances for Villa after joining in early January and despite a shaky start went on to be one of the club’s most solid performers in the final weeks of the campaign, at one point keeping seven clean sheets in the space of eight games.
Having slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford, it is thought United could be willing to let him depart in a permanent deal, though the mooted £5million fee may be beyond Villa at this stage.
Bruce will be hopeful of sealing a deal in the coming days, with Villa’s squad due to return for pre-season training at the end of the week. Adding a goalkeeper is a top priority this summer.
As many as ten could leave as Villa look to trim a squad which currently contains more than 30 full-time professionals. So far Transfer dealings have to this point have been slow, with only midfielder Carlos Sanchez departing in a £2.5million deal to Fiorentina.
With the majority of players now back from holiday, business is expected to accelerate.
Midfielders Carles Gil and Jordan Veretout are among several players who spent last season away on loan who are scheduled to return to Bodymoor Heath at the end of the week, though both are keen on moves away.
