Report: Aston Villa value James Chester at £10m as clubs circle

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Aston Villa are reportedly having to consider selling some of their key players this summer, and James Chester is attracting attention.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, James Chester is being valued at £10 million by Aston Villa as rival clubs reportedly monitor the centre-back’s availability at Villa Park.

It has been well publicised over the last couple of weeks that missing out on promotion to the Premier League has had a major impact on the Villans’ financial situation, with the Daily Mail reporting that the club need to make £40 million from player sales just to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Mail suggests that £30 million-rated Jack Grealish could be sold, while Chester may also be allowed to move on this summer with a £10 million valuation placed on the Wales international.

The Mail adds that there is interest in the 29-year-old who joined from West Brom two years ago, so perhaps there is a chance that he could be about to follow John Terry, his centre-back partner from this past season, out of the door if the right money is offered.

It would be a major blow to lose Chester. Not only has Terry’s departure seen the Villans’ defensive options already get significantly weaker, but the former Baggies centre-back has been a superb addition to the club.

While there may only be a handful of Championship rivals who would be able to meet Villa’s valuation – and an even smaller number of teams in the second tier that would be willing to pay that fee for a player who turns 30 next January – it would be little surprise if there is some interest from the top flight, especially if they sense that Villa’s financial concerns may give them the opportunity to negotiate an even better price.