Aston Villa are still close to a loan deal for Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone despite reported interest from Championship rivals Middlesbrough, according to Sky journalist Rob Dorsett.
The Midlands giants have been heavily linked with bring the 24-year-old stopper back to the club this summer and on Saturday the Daily Mail reported that he would re-join the club on Monday.
However, with nothing announced alongside the Sun reporting that United were ready to sell him to Boro in a £2.5million deal in June some fans were growing concerned.
But, Sky Sports news reporter Dorsett has helped ease the Villa fans on Tuesday and reported on his personal Twitter account that Steve Bruce’s side were close to bringing in Johnstone on loan again.
Understand #avfc close to deal with #mufc for GK Sam Johnstone to go on loan again. This, despite reports that #boro are keen to buy him.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) July 11, 2017
Johnstone joined Aston Villa in January on a deal until the end of the season after extending his contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2018 in October.
He impressed many in the Midlands, who had previously struggled in the goalkeeping department with last summer signing Pierluigi Gollini struggling to make an impact.
The former England Under-20 international finished his loan having played 22 matches in total for Aston Villa, keeping eight clean sheets, while conceding 26.
If this loan proves another success then he could end up completing a permanent move to Villa on a free transfer next summer given his contract situation.