According to a recent report by the Sun, Burnley keeper Tom Heaton has declined the chance to extend his stay at Turf Moor amid interest from Aston Villa and Bournemouth this summer. The same source has also revealed that the English goalie has just got a year left in his contract with the Clarets and so the Villans could take this opportunity to orchestrate a deal for him ahead of the new season.
Dean Smith’s men had a long yet successful end to their season last term when they got promoted to the Premier League via the playoffs. Thus, it might be wise for the West Midlands outfit to sign some veteran players so that they can cope with the pressures of playing regular top-flight football.
Heaton’s Recent Struggles At Turf Moor
Heaton has enjoyed a productive spell under Sean Dyche, but he struggled to perform well for the Clarets last season. The Chester born keeper had made 22 appearances for Burnley in the previous campaign, conceding 33 goals while keeping four clean sheets across all competitions.
Why Aston Villa Could Be An Ideal Choice For Heaton
Heaton needs to make a fresh start so that he can regain his old form somewhere else where he would be guaranteed more playing time on the field. Villa Park might be the perfect destination for him as Smith is desperate to add more quality and experience to his side ahead of the new campaign.
What Will The English Keeper Add To Deam Smith’s Side?
The 33-year-old goalie has proven his value in Premier League football as he has sharp reflexes which help him pull off some amazing saves for his team. He is an ideal all-round keeper as he is well-rounded in every aspect of his game.
The only element of his football that has let him down at times has been his ball-distribution, but it is mostly down to Dyche’s brand of ‘defence-first’ football at the Turf Moor.
Should The Villans Move In For Heaton?
However, the Villans would need a no-nonsense shot-stopper who could play the ball out of the back, so Heaton doesn’t fit the bill. Even then, he would still add more quality to the Villans’ backline, and so they should undoubtedly go after him in this offseason.
