Manchester United are reportedly set to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton on a free transfer in the coming weeks, implying that major changes at Old Trafford could occur this summer.
What's the backstory?
According to Fabrizio Romano, a well-known journalist and transfer expert, the 35-year-old shot-stopper is set to return to his boyhood club after a disappointing spell at Villa Park.
According to Romano, Heaton will have a medical with the Old Trafford club before signing a contract until 2023 with the option of a one-year extension.
United's goalkeeping saga has raged on for several seasons, with David de Gea's steady decline since the 2018 World Cup causing several major talking points.
The Spain international has made a number of high-profile gaffes between the sticks for the 20-time English champions in recent seasons, and the emergence of Dean Henderson has only added to the controversy.
De Gea returned to his homeland for personal reasons in the middle of the 2020/21 season, giving the young keeper a chance to shine in the starting XI week in and week out.
Henderson, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on his opportunity, committing a series of gaffes, including a dismal performance against United's bitter rivals Liverpool.
With the Red Devils looking to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League, addressing their goalkeeping problem is expected to be high on Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's priority list this summer, and Heaton's possible arrival could spell bad news for their current crop of keepers.
Given that he spent the entire 2020/21 season as Emiliano Martinez's understudy, the Villa man is unlikely to be United's No.1, but his addition will provide Solksjaer with four shot-stoppers to choose from.
Sergio Romero is set to leave, while De Gea (£19.8 million according to Transfermarkt) and England international Henderson will either fight it out for first-choice, or both will be let go, opening the door for a new, top-tier goalkeeper to make his mark at Old Trafford.
It could be the end of De Gea's ten-year stay at United, where he has won one Premier League title, one FA Cup, one League Cup, and a Europa League title, and the beginning of a new chapter in the club's eventful goalkeeping history.
By bringing in Heaton, United now have an adequate backup goalkeeper to Henderson if they decide to move on from De Gea, which would not be surprising given his recent performances.
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