Aston Villa are now setting their sights on an alternative to Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertuida after missing out on their primary target.
Following the injury to Matty Cash against Arsenal on Saturday, Aston Villa stepped up their pursuit of Feyenoord right-back Lutsharel Geertruida.
The Dutch giants set a £30 million asking price for the 24-year-old but as Villa need to offload a few players to afford him, Geertruida is now set for a medical at RB Leipzig.
Whilst that is undoubtedly a blow to Unai Emery so late on in the window, it is understood that one key alternative to the talented defender is being eyed.
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Aston Villa have discussed a move for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah
Aston Villa News understands that Emery and Monchi are discussing a move for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah ahead of the 11 pm deadline.
Chalobah is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and the Blues have slapped a £25 million price tag on him.
The Englishman, who has made 80 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea, would add significant versatility and depth to Emery’s back line.
During his career, Chalobah has been shoehorned into several positions, including as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and right-back.
A transfer for the player would therefore be a popular one among the Villa faith, especially this late in the window however, a move for the former Ipswich Town star depends on one key factor.
Unai Emery needs to sell Diego Carlos to sign Trevoh Chalobah
Sadly, Aston Villa News can also reveal that a move for Chalobah won’t happen unless centre-back Diego Carlos is sold.
Carlos has previously attracted interest from Fulham, with Crystal Palace also emerging as a contender to sign him.
Emery did say he wanted to keep the Brazilian at the club but to sign an extra player, namely Chalobah, he could entertain bids for the 31-year-old.
Carlos didn’t feature at all in Villa’s defeat against Arsenal last weekend and he would have felt aggrieved, especially after Cash was replaced by teenager Kosta Nedeljkovic.
Nonetheless, it appears for the Villans to do any business, the sale of Carlos is essential, although that wouldn’t necessarily alter how short they are defensively.
Villa only have four senior centre-backs, including the Brazilian, with Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings all options.
That isn’t ideal for Emery as he enters the Champions League as only one injury could leave them decimated at the back.
