Aston Villa are still in the hunt for their Manchester United target, Sam Johnstone, according to the Daily Star.
Villa boss, Steve Bruce, has admitted that the move to bring the youngster to Villa park is an ambitious one but he won’t give up his pursuit.
Bruce currently has Pierluigi Gollini, Jed Steer and Mark Bunn to choose from in the goalkeeping department, but is looking for January reinforcements to increase their chances of a playoff push.
Johnstone, who is considered a rising star at Old Trafford, currently has 18 months left on his contract. He is, however, expected to be offered fresh terms in the near future. Bruce’s links to Old Trafford may make it an easier coup for Villa, as it may give him an advantage over any other suited parties.
So far in his short career, he has experienced first team football, during loan spells away from his current club, with Doncaster and Preston respectively.
The Old Trafford hierarchy confirmed in the summer that they had received more than ten enquiries for the youngster, but considered him too high a prospect to let him leave the club.
Wolves are also said to have shown an interest in the keeper, with their new manager, Paul Lambert, said to be a fan.
Aston Villa may react more cautiously with the signing than normal, however. Their current first choice keeper, Pierluigi Gollin, boasts the Old Trafford club on his CV and it is safe to say that he’s been slightly hit and miss so far.