Bruce Wants to Make United Keeper His First Signing

According to a report in the Birmingham Mail, Steve Bruce wants to make Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone his first January transfer.

The 23-year-old is currently behind David De Gea and Sergio Romero in United’s goalkeeping pecking order and, as a result, he is currently looking to go out on loan somewhere so that he can get some regular football under his belt. With Gollini struggling for consistency and Bunn and Steer currently out injured, Villa are currently on the look out for a quality keeper.

Johnstone hasn’t actually made an appearance for United, but they regard him high enough to have offered him a new contract which will take him through to 2018. Upon signing this new deal, he admitted on social media that he is looking to go out on loan somewhere this winter.

Johnstone, at 6 foot 3 inches, is a commanding keeper who plays with confidence and swagger, has decent distribution and is comfortable with one-on-one situations – something you’d expect from a keeper from one of the most successful clubs in the country.

A number of other Championship clubs are interested in acquiring his services, but Villa are confident of thrashing out a favourable deal with him.