Stoke City are reportedly hoping that they will be able to convince Aston Villa to sign Charlie Adam as the Potters chase James Chester.
It has been a turbulent summer for Villa following their play-off final defeat. Fortunately, some of the uncertainty appears to have been quashed with new majority shareholders coming into the club.
The Express and Star reported earlier this week that James Chester is now hoping to stay partially due to the club’s decision to keep Steve Bruce as their manager. The report added however, that the Wales international could still end up being sold at some stage amid talk of a £10 million bid from Stoke.
And it appears that the Potters are not giving up in the hunt for the 29-year-old defender. The Sun on Sunday (29/07; page 63) reports that Gary Rowett is keen to get rid of Adam during this window, and thus, they are hoping that they may be able to tempt Villa to sign the midfielder as part of the deal that sees Chester head in the opposite direction.
Should Villa accept Stoke’s offer?
Chester is a hugely important player for Villa, especially now that John Terry’s contract has expired and he has left the club. Losing both first-choice centre-backs during the same window would be a huge blow, especially given the leadership that both men provide.
Adam – who cost Stoke £4 million, according to BBC Sport – could be a superb signing for any Championship side. He may have struggled for game-time at Stoke lately and may now be edging towards the twilight of his career, but he would improve most sides in the second tier.
Nevertheless, Chester seems too important to Villa right now, both as a defender and leader, so the club’s majority shareholders should surely remain just as determined to hold onto the Welshman as Adam gets added to equation.
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