Aston Villa are clear favourites to land Premier League goalkeeper Tom Heaton and will pay to bring him to Vila Park, claims the Sun’s transfer expert.
Alan Nixon reported that people close to the deal say that Villa are the clear frontrunners for his signature but there is competition.
However, one factor that could tip the balance is that Villa will “pay cost of it”. Others might not.
OPINION
Landing Heaton would represent a fairly sizeable coup for Aston Villa, who are reportedly fighting off Championship rivals Leeds for the England international. It might not be cheap though. It sounds like Aston Villa are prepared to pay the cost of the loan and Heaton’s wages a reported £35k-a-week. That prices him way out the reach of a lot of Championship clubs but could make real sense for a second-half of the season loan. Heaton has massive experience, including three caps for England, and has been a bit unlucky to lose his spot in the Burnley team. If Villa are the only side willing to pay his wages then they could have a clear run on Heaton. That would be a blow to Leeds who are without either of their regular keepers at the moment because of injury. They’ve been linked with Rangers number two Wes Foderingham following the news that Villa are the huge favourites to land Heaton.