Aston Villa have reportedly rejected a bid from Championship rivals Stoke City for James Chester.
The Villans’ financial concerns have been well publicised since they lost last season’s play-off final to Fulham. While the Cottagers have since caught everyone by surprise with the signing of Jean-Michael Seri, Steve Bruce recently confirmed to Sky Sports that Jack Grealish leaving Villa this summer is inevitable.
Chester’s superb season at the heart of the Villa defence has probably left a major question mark lingering over his future. And Stoke have reportedly tested the club’s resolve to hold onto the Wales international.
The Daily Mirror reports on their live transfer blog (14/07; 12:30) that Stoke have made a £5 million offer for Chester, but Villa have rejected that bid. It now remains to be seen whether the Potters are going to return with a fresh move.
It would be a huge blow for Villa if they ended up selling Chester this summer, especially if his next club turns out to be Stoke. Gary Rowett has been able to show some ambition in the market thus far, and many will be expecting Stoke to be right in the mix to secure promotion at the first attempt.
If they manage to add Chester to their ranks, they will certainly boost their promotion hopes further while dealing a major blow to Villa’s own chances of going one better than what they managed last season.
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