Aston Villa set to sanction goalkeeper exit in surprise transfer development
Aston Villa will allow goalkeeper Joe Gauci to leave on loan in January, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The West Midlands news outlet reported via its website (6 January) that the 24-year-old is attracting plenty of interest this month, with Belgian Pro League side KVC Westerlo among the list of potential suitors.
Gauci arrived at Villa Park in a £1.3million deal from Adelaide United a little under 12 months ago and could be in line for a surprise move away from Aston Villa already after Unai Emery approved the move.
His last senior appearance for the Villans came in the 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on 30 October, wherein he produced an impressive performance despite the early cup exit.
Joe Gauci could leave Aston Villa in January
After his arrival a year ago, the Australian international put pen to paper on a five-year deal until 2028.
While his game time was always going to be limited with World Cup winner Emi Martinez between the sticks at Villa Park, it is an interesting decision to allow the goalkeeper to leave this month.
Although Emery may be willing to give Gauci more valuable game time away from Villa Park until the end of the season, he may still be needed before the end of the campaign if injury strikes Martinez.
The Villans can call upon Robin Olsen should Martinez be injured or suspended, of course, but Gauci is the youngster shot-stopper on the books in the West Midlands and has already shown signs of improvement after his impressive displays on international duty.
There may be a bigger plan at play – Martinez, 32, is approaching the twilight years of his career even for a goalkeeper, and soon Emery must decide the right time to begin phasing the Argentine out of the first-team picture.
A move to the Belgian Pro League would be a worthwhile test for Gauci to prove to Emery he can perform in a top-flight league and stake a claim to challenge Martinez for a starting berth next season and beyond.
In other Aston Villa news, an agreement has been reached for a player to join the Villans.
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