Aston Villa have bid £7m for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, claims The Sun.
Heaton has entered the final 12 months of his existing Burnley deal and has already turned down the club’s offer of a new contract.
Newly promoted Villa have already made six permanent signings this summer and head coach Dean Smith now wants to sign a new goalkeeper.
Villa rotated between three goalkeepers last season and never really nailed down a first-choice option.
Villa have been heavily linked with a move for Stoke ace Jack Butland but the Championship outfit are holding out for as much as £25m.
Smith’s side have no interest in matching Stoke’s valuation of the England international and are now looking at other options.
Villa wanted to sign Heaton in January before the veteran shot-stopper regained his No.1 spot in goal for Burnley but Clarets head coach Sean Dyche faces a challenge on his hands to keep him at the club this summer.
Burnley will risk losing Heaton for nothing next summer if they do not cash in now, while Villa can hand the 33-year-old guaranteed playing time.
Heaton’s introduction to the Burnley starting XI last season coincided with the club’s huge upturn in form.
In fact, Burnley won 42.1% of the league matches Heaton started last term compared to a win ratio of just 15.8% when he did not feature from the off.
Burnley also conceded fewer goals per league game (1.42) when Heaton started compared to the games when he didn’t (2.16).
