Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is poised to join Aston Villa for a second loan spell on Monday despite interest from the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail.
The news outlet have detailed in their live transfer blog (Saturday, 2.02pm) that the 24-year-old will complete a season-long loan deal to the Midlands giants in the coming days.
The English shot-stopper has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford but with TeamTalk previously reporting that league rivals Middlesbrough were ready to spend as much as £5million for his signature, a loan deal may be best suited for Villa.
The former England Under-20 international impressed onlookers after making the switch to Steve Bruce’s team for the second half of the last campaign, which saw him keep eight clean sheets in 22 matches where he also conceded on 26 occasions.
He helped solidify a very troublesome position for Aston Villa with last summer signing Pierluigi Gollini failing to impress, while Mark Bunn is suitable backup, rather than a promotion chasing number one.
Meanwhile, Johnstone’s career at Old Trafford looks to be over with each of David de Gea, Sergio Romero and Joel Castro Pereira ahead of him in the goalkeeping ranks and at his age he will be seeking regular first team football.
Johnstone will mark the Midlands giants’ second signing of the summer following the addition of veteran centre-back John Terry.