Premier League goalkeeper market has Aston Villa waiting

Aston Villa will be waiting for a new number one goalkeeper until the Premier League sides settle their squads. Of note, a quartet of seasoned Premier League goalkeepers have a direct result on who suits up for the claret and blues next season.

From numerous publications, Manchester United rejected a £60 million bid from Real Madrid for star goalkeeper, David de Gea. That £60 million bid is nearly double the current record for a goalkeeper; a record still held by Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon in the summer of 2001.

Along those lines, Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola are thought to have an agreement with Benfica for a new goalkeeper transfer record. Guardiola wants to bring in 23-year old Brazilian, Ederson, as his new number one.

How does this affect Aston Villa? Well, it brings Joe Hart back to the market after a year abroad with Italian side Torino. It is confirmed Hart will not be returning to Manchester City. We are entering a World Cup year and Hart will need consistent playing time in the Premier League to keep England’s prized number one job. Hart has a lot of competition nipping at his heels (Foster, Forster, Butland, Heaton, Pickford etc.).

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Manchester United and José Mourinho are loathe to lose both de Gea and Sam Johnstone in one window without contingency plans in place. Until then, Aston Villa may be forced to wait…for awhile – time Steve Bruce simply does not have in assembling his squad.

Moreover, Johnstone was initially chased by a pair of top flight sides in Everton and Bournemouth. The Cherries seemed to figure out their number one shirt with the signing of Chelsea back-up, Asmir Begovic. The ~£10 million deal brings Bosnia’s number one ‘keeper from the bench to the pitch in the southern coast.

The Toffees, on the other hand, are chasing hard for star Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Black Cats will play alongside Villa in the Championship nest season and won’t move Pickford for anything less than their £30 million valuation. That’s money Everton simply may not be able to allocate for a goalkeeper. Even one of Jordan Pickford’s ability at the age of 22.

Everyone wants Sam Johnstone back at Aston Villa next season, but it’s simply up to the Premier League market to dictate how quickly this move occurs. As Huddersfield Town experienced this year, a quick start in England’s second division remains vital.

Steve Bruce and executives should have a contingency goalkeeping plan in place in case Johnstone stays/moves elsewhere in the Premier League.

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