Aston Villa defender Matty Cash may now seal a surprise move away from the Birmingham outfit in the January transfer window. He is facing an uncertain future in Unai Emery’s side.
That is according to The Telegraph, which reports the Villans could permit further surprise sales following Danny Ings’ departure. Aston Villa have assured Emery that the Spaniard is financially backed in the mid-season market. But he still needs to trim the size of his team.
So, Aston Villa could consider transfer offers for right-back Cash and left-back Lucas Digne this month. Both players have uncertain futures under Emery, who has signed a new left-back in £13.5m Alex Moreno from Real Betis. Cash has also lost his place to Ashley Young.
Emery initially put his faith in Cash after replacing Steven Gerrard in charge of Aston Villa in November. The 25-year-old started against Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. But he has only started one of their following four top-flight games.
Cash had to miss last Friday’s match with Leeds United after sustaining a groin injury in the FA Cup against Stevenage. He should, however, be in contention to return at Southampton this Saturday. Emery picking Young at St Mary’s will be a strong indicator of Cash’s future.
Aston Villa could now sell Matty Cash after Chelsea began studying his transfer
Cash has featured in 17 and started in 14 of Aston Villa’s fixtures across all competitions so far this season. But the 12-cap Poland international, who played at the World Cup, is yet to lay on an assist or score. He was also not involved in any goals in Qatar over three outings.
The Slough-born star has only offered the Villans four goals and six assists over 85 games since joining the team. Dean Smith paid Nottingham Forest an initial £14m, rising to £16m, in September 2020. While Gerrard afforded Cash a new contract running to 2027 last April.
Yet Emery replacing Gerrard at the helm could now see Cash seal a surprise transfer away from Aston Villa. His situation in Birmingham is also of interest to Chelsea as Simon Phillips reports Graham Potter is exploring new right-backs and appreciates the £80k-a-week star.
Potter believes Cash – who Tim Sherwood called ‘outstanding’ last year – can push Reece James for minutes at Stamford Bridge. He has also been without the England international due to two separate knee injuries since replacing Thomas Tuchel in charge in west London.
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