With Aston Villa having already secured deals for Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne during the current January transfer window, it seems as though the Midlands club could be set to welcome another new face to Villa Park that also has some Premier League experience under his belt.
What's the news?
According to journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a recent Twitter post, AS Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen is set to undergo a medical at Villa today before the announcement of a loan deal for the shot-stopper until the end of the season.
He said: "Robin Olsen will undergo his medical with Aston Villa on Tuesday. He’s set to join Villa from AS Roma on loan until end of the season. Sheffield United will let him leave immediately - and so Olsen will join Aston Villa."
Working wonders
Having been linked with a transfer move for West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph earlier in the month, only for Hammers manager David Moyes to step in and block the move, it seems as though Johan Lange has moved swiftly in making sure that Villa bring in another shot-stopper this month, demonstrating the wonderful work he's put in to make the squad as strong as possible this winter.
Since joining Roma back in the 2018 summer transfer window, the 32-year-old has had loan spells at Cagliari, Everton, where he made 11 appearances with seven coming in the Premier League, and most recently with Sheffield United for the first half of the current campaign.
Given how current Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has played in all but one of their Premier League games so far this season, it's safe to say that he is seen as Steven Gerrard's first-choice goalkeeper, suggesting that regular game time may not be on the cards for Olsen straight away.
However, to have an experienced goalkeeper in their squad that is familiar with English football as a result of his spells with Everton and Sheffield United, would still be a positive thing for Villa to be able to rely on if anything were to happen to Martinez.
One other factor that could be taken into account is what the next step is for Villa's current backup goalkeeper Jed Steer, who managed to concede three goals in his only Premier League appearance this season.
If Olsen's arrival means that Steer will be pushed down the pecking order, it could be worth him moving to another club where he'd be able to get regular playing time.
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