West Ham United and Aston Villa have recently been linked with moves for Gary Cahill during the January transfer window.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Aston Villa target Gary Cahill has been told that he can leave Chelsea on loan during the January transfer window – while West Ham may be alerted by the news.
Cahill is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. But The Telegraph reports that the Blues are ready to reward the former England international for his service by allowing him to leave on loan during the winter.
The Telegraph adds that Aston Villa could attempt to bring Cahill back to his first club more than a decade after his departure. Meanwhile, the report also alludes to West Ham making a summer move for the centre-back.
And with the Daily Mirror reporting last month that the Hammers were keen on signing Cahill – who earns £130,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – it would be no surprise if Manuel Pellegrini was also taking note of the latest reports.
Good news for Villa?
It will please Dean Smith that Cahill is seemingly set to be given the green light to leave in January. With John Terry as his assistant and Cahill having that affiliation with the club, it would certainly be wrong to suggest that the Championship side could not compete with any rivals for his signature.
The potential downside however, is that The Telegraph hints that Cahill leaving is likely to help appease Ethan Ampadu as he awaits his chance in Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Birmingham Live recently reported that the youngster is also on Villa’s radar, so Cahill’s exit would seemingly take Ampadu off the market.
And while that may not be a problem if Smith manages to land Cahill, it could prove to be an issue if the 32-year-old heads elsewhere in January.
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