Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a move for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah as they look to add another centre-back this summer.
Villa still have a number of positions on their wishlist, especially given the recent sale of France striker Moussa Diaby to Al Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League.
A versatile defender is also a high priority as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his squad ahead of his Champions League campaign.
Villa has already been linked with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez. However, it now appears that Chelsea’s Chalobah is also on his list 90 minutes reporting that the Blues would accept an offer of between £25m and £30m.
Chelsea recently completed the sale of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, with Portuguese striker Joao Felix heading the other way.
And now, they will look to cash in on another homegrown player, with Chalobah, who has played 80 times for Chelsea in all competitions since leaving their academy, reportedly exiled from Enzo Maresca’s side.
Chelsea’s unpopular summer transfer window
Chelsea’s treatment of their home-grown players has been criticized by supporters after another summer of heavy spending.
But it’s not just the fans who are disappointed to see Gallagher and potentially Chalobah leave.
Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has also criticized his former club’s transfer policy, with the Nigerian believing there has been unnecessary spending.
“Of course, two young boys who bleed blue, exactly,” Mikel said. “Through and through. At the club when they were little kids and now we have to sell them to make sure they balance the books.
“Then it’s about the owners spending too much money and buying everybody that has a price (them). Just spending too much money, buying too many players that we don’t need.”
Mikel added: “I think it’s bad business by the owners. Absolutely bad business by the owners.
“Now, we’ve lost two fantastic players! I think ‘Chalobah will improve the team?’ of course! Hell yes! Will Conor Gallagher improve the team? For me, yes.”
