Aston Villa have been linked with plenty of goalkeepers ever since the transfer window began and now it seems like their search for a new custodian has come to an end. According to the latest reports from John Percy of The Telegraph, the Villans have managed to strike an £8m deal for Burnley’s experienced goalkeeper Tom Heaton. The 33-year-old is due for a medical today. It is being said that the agreement has an add on of £500,000.
Villa have gone on to spend big money ever since their promotion to the Premier League and Dean Smith would be hoping for a good season. However, even Fulham took a similar path last season so nothing can be taken for granted right now.
But signing a reliable goalkeeper will help them go a long way, and this could be one of the final pieces of the jigsaw for Smith. Burnley have been facing a bit of a problem ever since Nick Pope and Tom Heaton became fit and a departure of either one of them was always going to be on the cards. Sean Dyche has rightfully decided to stick with the more long term option Pope.
Why Aston Villa needed a goalkeeper?
The club has Orjan Nyland, Lovre Kalinić and Jed Steer as options in goal and one might feel that signing a new goalkeeper was unnecessary. However, only Steer seems to be of Premier League quality out of the three.
Steer might be feeling hard done by after he revived his career in the second half of the last campaign where he played a crucial role for his club in getting them promoted to the Premier League. However, one cannot blame Smith for adding more quality to the roster. It remains to be seen now whether the club will be able to ship away the surplus goalkeepers.
What will Heaton bring to the table?
Heaton has been a backup in the England national team for quite some time and is a proven quantity at the Premier League level. He should be keen to kickstart his career once again after suffering from various injuries. Pope’s arrival at the Turf Moor further provided him with a tough challenge, and he had to sit out even though he was the club captain.
His experience, ability to lead and organise the backline will be a big plus for the club. In terms of abilities, Heaton is right up there, and there is no doubt that the 33-year-old is a top signing for £8m.
