As reported by The Daily Mirror, Aston Villa are interested in making on-loan goalkeeper Sam Johnstone a permanent fixture at Villa Park in January.

What's the story?

Johnstone has impressed at the Villans since joining on loan from Manchester United in January and this season already has helped the club keep five clean sheets in the Championship.

Now manager Steve Bruce wants to tie him down as number one at the club for the next few years and is eyeing a January move for the 24-year-old.

As quoted by The Mirror, Bruce said:

It would be great to keep him here for the next few years as Villa’s number one. I will need to ask the question. The ideal move for us would be to buy him in January. You’ve seen it, a young goalkeeper coming in and getting better with every game he plays.

It's clear then that the club are massively interested in the Man United man, but is this the right career move for Johnstone himself?

Johnstone's future

Now well into his twenties, what Johnstone needs most is regular first-team football and moving away from Manchester United is by far is best opportunity for that. David De Gea, as one of the world's best goalkeepers, is always going to be first-choice at Old Trafford and the Villa star can do little to change that.

A move to another Premier League club so early could also be detrimental. He still has plenty of learning to do and cutting his teeth in the Championship is doing him no harm at all.

Villa have ambitions to get back into the top-flight and if Johnstone commits to the club it could be perfect for all parties in the years to come.

In the short-term, Villa Park appears to be a fantastic home for the goalkeeper and if the club can get the deal done, he should have no hesitation in signing up.