Qarabag's Bosnian goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic throws the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Chelsea and Qarabag at Stamford Bridge in London on September 12, 2017. (Getty Images)
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Aston Villa signing this £1.5m veteran would be an absolute steal to fill Heaton void

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Why Ibrahim Sehic would be a smart signing for Aston Villa

According to the Daily Star, Aston Villa and West Ham are interested in signing BB Erzurumspor goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.

Ibrahim Sehic, 31, is out of contract at Turkish club BB Erzurumspor at the end of the season, and Premier League clubs Aston Villa and West Ham are aware that the goalkeeper will cost £1.5million in the January transfer window, the report adds.

Both Aston Villa and West Ham are in need of a new goalkeeper, although for the short-term. While Tom Heaton is out for the rest of the season for the Villans, Lukasz Fabianski has only just returned to full fitness for the Hammers.

Bosnia's goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic reacts at the end of the Euro 2020 Group J qualification football match between Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the OACA Spyros Louis stadium in Athens on October 15, 2019. (Getty Images)
Bosnia’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic reacts at the end of the Euro 2020 Group J qualification football match between Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the OACA Spyros Louis stadium in Athens on October 15, 2019. (Getty Images)

Having said that, Villa must do everything possible to beat West Ham to Sehic’s signing this month.

The Villans have endured a tough return to the Premier League as they remain locked in battle against relegation. They have suffered a major blow with the devastating news that both first-choice stopper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley are ruled out for the season.

Their focus, with the transfer market reopening last week, should be on spending again to bolster their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Villa have got two games in the Carabao Cup against Leicester City and five other games in January, so it is really important for Smith to get in new players as quickly as possible. And that should start with the goalkeeping department, with the Midlands club needing someone to replace Heaton.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith. (Getty Images)
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith. (Getty Images)

Orjan Nyland has been in goal since Heaton’s injury and while he has done well, the Norwegian isn’t up to the level required for a Villa No.1. That’s why Smith must go for Ibrahim Sehic.

Sehic has been a regular since arriving at BB Erzurumspor in 2018. Standing at 6ft 3in, the shot-stopper knows to command his box well and calmly come out and collect corners or punch the deliveries out of the box.

His awareness of the goal in tight situations gives the incoming attacker very little room to find the net. Competition for places is important and signing an experienced Bosnian goalkeeper in Sehic would be a step in the right direction for Villa.

In the video below, one could get a glimpse of the 31-year-old’s reflexes and shot-stopping ability.

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Verdict

The acquisition of a keeper of Sehic’s vast experience will undeniably improve Smith’s goalkeeping options at Villa Park. All in all, the former Qarabag man could be an immediate fix to Villa’s goalkeeping dilemma.