- 9 May 2024
Man Utd set to complete first signing of the summer
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 27 May 2021 09:11 BST
- 2 min read
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton on a free transfer, according to widespread reports in the English media.
According to The Athletic, among others, Heaton is discussing personal terms with United to become their third-choice goalkeeper.
READ MORE: Pep eyes striker to replace Aguero
He would replace Argentine veteran Sergio Romero, who will depart Old Trafford when his contract expires next month.
Heaton’s own contract at Villa Park is set to expire this summer, and the Villans are not prepared to extend his deal.
Who is Tom Heaton?
The 35-year-old joined Aston Villa for £8 million from Burnley in the summer of 2019.
However, after suffering a serious injury in January 2020, he has never managed to regain his first-team jersey.
This season he has played second-fiddle to Emiliano Martinez, who has impressed after arriving from Arsenal last summer.
Heaton was previously a Man United youth team player and was on the club’s senior books from 2005 until 2010 without playing a game.
Heaton: Key career statistics
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Age | 35 |
| Games | 377 |
| Trophies | 0 |
| England caps | 3 |
| Contract expiry | 2021 |
He truly made his name between 2013 and 2019 at Burnley, where he made 200 appearances.
It was during this time that he won three caps for the England national team, going to Euro 2016 as a backup goalkeeper.
It is understood that Heaton has other offers on the table, but that Man Utd are closing in on making their first senior signing of the summer.
Read more about: Emiliano Martinez
