Fabrizio Romano: Tom Heaton set for Manchester United medical
According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Tom Heaton is set to undergo his medical at Manchester United in the coming weeks.
The 35-year-old goalkeeper is a former graduate of the United academy. He failed to make a single appearance for the Red Devils and left for greener pastures in 2010. He has since played a key role in Cardiff City’s run to the League Cup final in 2012 before twice helping Burnley gain promotion to the Premier League.
Now in the latter years of his career, the veteran has been released by Aston Villa. United will be getting themselves a proven shot-stopper for free.
Romano goes on to add that the transfer is as good as done. He will pen a two-year deal that will run until June 2023, with the option of a further year.
The Red Devils have already held talks with Heaton this month. The former England international will serve as an understudy to David de Gea and Dean Henderson.
Heaton, however, has bigger ambitions. He is keen to challenge for a starting spot and intends to do just that. While it is unlikely that he will come out on top, added competition is a welcome contribution.
From Tom Heaton’s perspective, this is probably the last lucrative contract he could get in his career. Moreover, he will add to the squad as a homegrown player.
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The likes of Joel Pereira, Sergio Romeo and Lee Grant are also set to call it quits at Old Trafford this summer. It appears to a summer of an overhaul in the goalkeeping department at United.
While a number of them are on the way out, Heaton is the first one in the door at United. Who else follows in his wake remains to be seen.