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Aston Villa are thought to have had a ‘lowball’ offer of £7,000,000 rejected for Tom Heaton of Burnley.
Words by Regan Foy | Follow Regan on Twitter: @FindFoy
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The links with goalkeepers just don’t seem to be slowing down for Aston Villa of late, with Jack Butland and Tom Heaton the most prominent names mentioned. It’s an easy jump for the press to make with the lack of quality in depth that the club have at the moment, and the idea that Lovre Kalinic may not make it past his half-season at the club.
It’s thought that Orjan Nyland will remain at the club as he continues his plight for full fitness, and that Jed Steer and a ‘new’ goalkeeper will battle it out for the starting spot between the sticks.
According to a handful of sources, Aston Villa have had a ‘lowball’ (thought to be Burnley’s words, not ours) offer of £7,000,000 rejected for thirty-three-year-old stopper Tom Heaton after failing to break down Stoke City’s will regarding Jack Butland.
Heaton has recently chosen not to extend his stay at Turf Moor amidst contract talks, which broke down a few weeks back.
The England international, who was a part of the squad at this summer’s Nation’s League Finals, managed nineteen games for Burnley last season after missing twelve months through a dislocated shoulder.
During the nineteen games, in which Heaton was a major factor in guiding the clarets away from the relegation zone, the stopper managed four clean sheets – against West Ham United, Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City. He conceded 28 goals in these games, whilst coming up against strong opposition in Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.
The ‘keeper was instrumental in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United, as well as a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur – whilst also keeping the score respectable against eventual title winners Manchester City at 1-0.
It’s likely that with 12 months remaining on his contract, Burnley’s hand will be forced to accept a bid around the amount of Aston Villa’s rumoured initial bid – or they run the risk of losing him on a free next summer if he does not renew.
