Town Linked With Villa Keeper - Ipswich Town News
Town have been linked with Aston Villa’s US international goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The Blues are said to want the 27-year-old initially on loan but are also keen on signing him permanently when his contract is up at the end of the season.
Illinois-born Guzan played university football with the South Carolina Gamecocks, moving on to the Chicago Fire Reserves in the USL Premier Development League, before making his MLS breakthrough with Chivas USA.
In July 2008 Aston Villa signed the 19-times capped full international for £600,000.
Since his move, Guzan’s first team opportunities have been limited — 30 starts, six of those in the Premier League plus two sub appearances - with Shay Given currently the first choice at Villa Park.
The 6ft 4in tall keeper spent the second half of the 2010/11 season on loan at Hull City with whom he made 16 starts.
Guzan is understood to be considering his future with Villa, despite manager Alex McLeish offering him a new contract as recently as last week.
McLeish says he understands why the American might be weighing up whether to move on: "We will give Brad time. It depends on how long though. We have made the offer and we respect that Brad needs time to mull it over.
"I understand the dilemma he is facing but, at the same time, it is not like he is second in command to Joe Hart who is only 24.
"Shay is 35 now and, when Brad has come in, he has proved himself to be a Premier League keeper. Now we know he is Premier League class.
"Brad probably realises that if Shay has a niggle or a problem, or we are going to do anything in the cup competitions, we are going to put him in."
Town are very much in the market for a keeper to come in for the long-term with Alex McCarthy’s loan spell up on April 11th and Reading having a 24-hour emergency recall option.
The Royals are unlikely to allow the 22-year-old to move on a permanent basis in the summer if Town want him, while Richard Wright, currently the third choice, looks set to depart in the summer when his contract is up, perhaps to the US where he has already had a trial with Dallas FC.
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