Aston Villa face transfer disappointment after Premier League rival snatches target

Aston Villa look set to miss out on one of their reported targets after a Premier League rival took him from under their noses.

Brentford have beaten Aston Villa and Celtic to the signature of Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, according to a report. The Telegraph reports that the Bees have agreed a fee for the 22-year-old shot-stopper who plays his club football for Swedish side Elfsborg.

Villa were said to have made an approach earlier in the window but it is the Bees who have made the breakthrough. The feeling in Sweden say that he is to sign a permanent deal after the medical is done, and that the fee is £2.6m. He will be the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of the Allsvenskan, and is now the club record sale for Elfsborg.

Aston Villa made an approach five days ago but that was below what Brentford are paying, and Danish side Copenhagen also made a move. Valdimarsson himself addressed the transfer rumours and said: "It is big. It is a top club in the Premier League and they play very well. It is great to see that they are interested. It shows that I have played well last season."

Valdimarsson though will be moving to West London and could may have a clearer route in to becoming Brentford's first-choice goalkeeper. He will now provide competition to Mark Flekken, who was brought in to replace David Raya who moved to Arsenal, and back-up goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.

Villa have World Cup winner Emi Martinez as their first-choice goalkeeper and he is currently being challenged by Robin Olsen. Third-choice Filip Marschall meanwhile headed to MK Dons on a six-month loan deal. It will be interesting to see whether Unai Emery and Villa's transfer team reacts to missing out on one of their targets and makes a move for a different goalie.