Phillips predicts Aston Villa star Heaton will accept offer after key update
Tom Heaton will find it very hard to turn down an Aston Villa exit after receiving an offer from Manchester United.
That’s according to former Villa hitman Kevin Phillips, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Heaton’s future.
Last week, Football Insider revealed Heaton has rejected a new contract offer from Villa and has verbally agreed to join Man United.
It is understood he will join the club as the third-choice goalkeeper but will also help to coach the Red Devils’ roster of keepers.
Serio Romero is set to leave the club this summer while Lee Grant is also yet to be offered a new deal.
Phillips, who knows Grant from his days at Derby, sees a similarity between Grant and Heaton’s respective moves to Old Trafford.
When asked if Heaton was unable to turn down a move to Old Trafford, Phillips told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, “Yeah, 100%.
“I worked with Lee Grant at Derby when he got the chance to go to Man United as a player.
“I was a bit surprised because I thought he could go somewhere and play week in week out.
“When you get the chance to go to Man United and sit on their bench, or work in any capacity it’s very hard to turn down.
“Especially when you are coming to the end of your career. I’d be very surprised if he was to turn that offer down.”
Heaton spent the early part of his career at Man United but never made an appearance for the senior side.
The stopper joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2019 and has made 20 appearances for the club.
In other news, Villa have decided to loan out one senior player next season.