transfer updates for Aston Villa indicate that the club is actively pursuing the arrival of two players, with the aim of completing the deals before the Thursday evening transfer deadline.
Aston Villa is on the verge of finalizing the signing of Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci, as reported by various sources. This development comes despite Unai Emery’s categorical statement of ‘definitely not’ when questioned about further arrivals after Rogers. It appears that the deal for Gauci is at an advanced stage, and there is a possibility that he might join before Rogers, even though a £15 million deal with Middlesbrough for Rogers was agreed upon the previous day.
It has been confirmed that Aston Villa has reached an agreement with Adelaide United to secure the signing of the goalkeeper. The player has successfully undergone a medical examination in anticipation of the proposed move to Villa Park. The impending deal is expected to see him sign a contract until 2028. Currently, the process is in the paperwork stage, raising optimism that the transfer will be finalized before the Thursday evening deadline.
The goalkeeper’s addition is intended to enhance the depth in the goalkeeping department, providing competition alongside Emi Martinez and Robin Olsen for the starting position. While Martinez is typically the first choice in most competitions, the arrival of Gauci could present a challenge, potentially earning him a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League starting lineups.
Currently representing his country at the Asia Cup, Gauci is away on international duty in Qatar, where the finalization of the deal is expected to take place. Despite being a two-time Australia international, he finds himself behind Mathew Ryan in the goalkeeping hierarchy.
Due to his international commitments, Gauci won’t be available for the upcoming fixture against Sheffield United. However, there is a possibility of his involvement in Villa’s next Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday, February 11.
Joe Gauci’s football journey has seen him progress from playing semi-professional football with West Torrens Birkalla to making a mark in the A-League and representing his hometown club Adelaide United. Throughout his career, he has accumulated valuable experience, making 76 appearances for Adelaide United and achieving 17 clean sheets in the process.
His debut on the international stage for the Australia national team took place in March 2023, featuring in a match against Ecuador, which unfortunately ended in a 2-1 defeat. Gauci’s career trajectory showcases his development from the grassroots level to competing at a higher professional and international stage.