According to the Telegraph, Aston Villa ‘pull out of the race’ to sign Gary Cahill, with the English international deemed too expensive. Dean Smith is in the market for a centre-back in January with Axel Tuanzebe being sidelined with injury and Villa having no cover in his absence, but Cahill would set them back close to £4m for just six-months of service.
The 33-year-old has struggled for playing time at Chelsea this season and was open to a loan move away from Stamford Bridge in January. His £110k-a-week wages have proven a stumbling block, however, as Chelsea are unwilling to subsidise for the sake of getting a deal over the line. Villa don’t deem it value for money so they will turn their attentions elsewhere.
Tommy Elphick looks set to be recalled from his loan spell at Hull City and could come straight into the starting lineup in the New Year. James Bree has been a makeshift centre-back in Tuanzebe’s absence, but Smith might prefer a natural replacement as Villa have conceded a lot of goals of late.
Cahill would have been a good signing, but the club may now wait until next summer to revisit a deal as he’ll be out of contract at Chelsea.
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