Championship hopefuls Aston Villa reportedly want Gary Cahill back from Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Heading into the January transfer window, it is no secret where Aston Villa need to strengthen.
Dean Smith has been forced to contend with just two senior centre-backs in his Villa squad since taking over from Steve Bruce, James Chester and the Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe, with Tommy Elphick having been farmed out on loan to Hull City in August.
But could reports in Italy have boosted both club’s chances of solving the problem in January? According to Calciomercato, Serie A giants AC Milan have rejected the chance to sign Gary Cahill in the New Year and sporting director Leonardo is understood to be looking at younger players to solve the Rossoneri’s ongoing injury crisis.
What an opportunity, then, for Aston Villa to bring the 32-year-old back to the Midlands, 11 years after he left for Bolton Wanderers. The Telegraph states that Villa are targeting an ambitious bid for Cahill, who could fill the boots of John Terry.
Now, a return to Villa Park might be tempting for the England international, who began his professional career in the Midlands, but it seemed unlikely on paper that he would choose a move to the Championship over the chance to spend the autumn of his career in Milan.
But with a move to Serie A seemingly off the cards, Aston Villa are now well in the race. And Cahill, an experienced centre-back and a proven winner, looks capable of replicating the considerable impact Terry made on and off the pitch.
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