Aston Villa: Robin Olsen could make last-gasp exit as Villa Park replacement already lined up
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Robin Olsen could leave Aston Villa in the January transfer window after the club have already agreed a deal for keeper Joe Gauci, according to Dan Bardell.
The Athletic journalist David Ornstein tweeted on Wednesday (31 January) that Villa have agreed a deal with Adelaide United to sign the Australian international.
He said the 23-year-old has completed his medical and is set to join the club on a long-term deal until 2028, with the Villans currently just sorting out the paperwork to finalise the deal before the window closes on Thursday (1 February).
Although Gauci could come in and take Olsen’s place as the number-two keeper behind Emiliano Martinez, Bardell believes it’s unlikely Villa would be able to offload the 34-year-old Swedish international at this stage of the window.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I heard a murmur earlier that Olsen might be sold, so he might even be coming in as a number two. I’m not sure Villa will get any takers for Olsen this late in the window in all honesty.
“It felt like Marschall was allowed to go out on loan because they were keen to pick up the Icelandic goalkeeper, who ultimately decided to go to Brentford.
“Villa must be moving down their goalkeeper list, he’s a bit older than I thought he was when I first saw we were signing a goalkeeper.
“He’s 23, but we all know goalkeepers don’t come through in the same way as young outfielders, so we’ll add him to the goalkeeping department, probably start as a number three and then, hopefully, make his way up to a number two.
“But I think Villa did need another goalkeeper that wasn’t a really young academy player, so getting someone in who’s played first-team games is helpful.
“Obviously, I don’t know much about him, but if he’s anywhere near as good as the last Australian goalkeeper that played for Villa, Mark Bosnich, then he’ll be okay.”
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