Stoke City reportedly want to sign the Aston Villa ace.
According to a report from the Express & Star, Aston Villa centre-back James Chester is keen to remain at Villa Park, amidst a reported £10 million bid from Stoke City for his services.
The 29-year-old joined the Villans from West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2016, for a fee believed to be worth in the region of £9 million, and he has since gone on to establish himself as one of the club’s most important players, making 96 appearances in all competitions.
The Express & Star claimed that Villa’s Championship rivals Stoke have lodged a £10 million bid for Chester’s services, but with the west Midlands outfit’s new ownership, they are now in a position where their need to sell has diminished rather drastically.
Aston Villa still need to sell in order to comply with Financial Fair-play regulations, but their priority is to sell Jack Grealish.
The Express & Star claims that Chester wants to remain at Villa, however, regardless of whether the club actually want to sell him.
And that can only be good news for Villa ahead of what will surely be another long and arduous Championship campaign.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
