Aston Villa’s reported James Chester asking price is absolutely baffling

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Stoke City, Brighton and Burnley have been linked with James Chester, who Championship outfit Aston Villa may be forced to sell this summer.

Cash-strapped Aston Villa are desperate for funds right now with the Telegraph reporting that they are under pressure to raise £50 million in player sales over the next two transfer windows.

But that does not mean that the club should lose all sense of value in a mad fit of panic.

The Telegraph reports that a whole host of Villa’s star men are in demand with clubs from the top two tiers keen to take advantage of the dire financial situation at one of the biggest clubs in English football.

And, unsurprisingly, Aston Villa’s reigning Player of the Year James Chester is one of those in high demand. The Telegraph report that Stoke City are interested while the Birmingham Mail has claimed that four Premier League sides, including Brighton and Burnley, are eyeing the Welsh international.

And while that will not come as a shock, his potential price-tag will. The Telegraph understands that Chester could fetch up to £10 million, just £2 million more than Aston Villa paid West Brom for his services in 2016.

But surely Aston Villa can ask for more, particularly when fellow Championship defenders like Ben Gibson are valued at around £20 million. Chester, with the possible exception of Willy Boly, was arguably the best defender in the Championship last season and £10 million would be an absolute steal.

And Chester has certainly improved enough during two seasons at Villa Park to add more than just another £2 million onto his market value.

Villa are understood to want £40 million for Jack Grealish and, while Chester is obviously not worth that obscene fee, they should at least be asking for more.