It is a difficult time to be an Aston Villa fan right now following the club’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final defeat to Fulham.
The Cottagers are currently preparing for their return to the Premier League, while Villa are having to cautiously prepare for another season in the second tier.
Their defeat to Fulham left them an an extremely vulnerable position financially, and the Midlands club will realistically have to sell a number of their first team players in order to balance the books.
While it seems highly likely that star man Jack Grealish will leave the club, another player is being linked with a move away.
James Chester formed a formidable partnership at the heart of Aston Villa’s defence last season, and his performances have attracted the attention from a number of clubs.
Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion are rumoured to be interested in the Welsh international, but they face stiff competition from Stoke City according to the Birmingham Mail.
Stoke are currently preparing for life back in the second tier of English football following their relegation from the Premier League.
It ended their ten year stay in the top flight, but they are heavily tipped to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Potters are aware that they will more than likely lose a number of their star players this summer, with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri preparing to leave the Bet365 Stadium, but they are making the most of the transfer window, and the signing of James Chester could be an excellent coup for them.
