Sources: Man United in talks to sign Aston Villa star Heaton as he’s lined up for two roles
Man United are in talks to sign Tom Heaton on a free transfer from Aston Villa after offering him a player-coach role, Football Insider has learned.
The goalkeeper, 35, has been targeted by United to become their third goalkeeper next season as back-up to Dean Henderson and David de Gea.
A United source has told Football Insider the club are working to lure Heaton with the offer of a dual role in which he would provide first-team keeping cover as well as help coach their roster of keepers.
The Premier League giants want a replacement for Sergio Romero, who has been frozen out this season and is set to leave when his contract expires next month.
Lee Grant, 38, has been third choice for most of this season but he has not yet been offered a new contract.
Football Insider revealed in March that United are in the market for two senior shot-stoppers this summer, one who could slot into the starting XI and an experienced back-up.
Villa number one Emiliano Martinez is the top target to replace De Gea, but his mammoth wages make it very difficult for him to secure a summer transfer.
Signing Heaton is a far less complicated deal for United.
He joined Villa from Burnley for £8million in the summer of 2019 and made 20 appearances before suffering a knee injury midway through his first season.
Pepe Reina was signed on loan in January of last year to help the club avoid relegation before Martinez was prised from Arsenal for an initial £17m rising to £20m with add-ons.
That has proved to be outstanding business from Villa, with the Argentine arguably the outstanding keeper in this season’s Premier League.
In other news, two senior men are set to be sacked by Aston Villa this week.