By Phil Jennings
VILLA have been reportedly told they will need to pay Burnley £12million for keeper Tom Heaton.
According to the Football Insider website, Villa have only offered £4milion for Heaton, 33.
And Burnley say the player, who has one year left on his Turf Moor contract, is worth £8million more.
Burnley boss is keen to keep hold of Heaton which means Villa could run into another potential dead end in their search for a new No1.
Boss Dean Smith has already been put off by Stoke City demanding more than £20million for Jack Butland – now it seems Burnley are also prepared to play hardball.
Villa are the Premier League’s biggest spenders in the transfer window so far which means rivals clubs know they can ask major money for their star players.
Heaton, says Football Insider, is wanted by Dyche and contract talks are still onging. But Burnley would apparently consider selling if Villa were to offer £12million.
Whether Villa’s top brass think that is good value is unclear – Butland would be around double that but he is 26 and has ambitions to play for England over the next decade.
Villa have also checked on Cardiff’s Neil Etheridge and Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka, 30, with some reports saying Smith is leading the chase for the Toon player.
Villa Roar 