Stoke City haven’t yet clicked into gear in the transfer window despite the deadline day just 20 days away from now. They were in stuttering form throughout their campaign in the top flight last season and they couldn’t recover in time to avoid the ignominy of relegation. And subsequently, they have resigned to the fact that a number of their star players will look for a move elsewhere instead of slogging it out for an immediate promotion bid.
But it is not all doom and gloom. The Potters do have time on their hands to enhance their arsenal. As per one of the latest reports by Daily Mail, they are preparing a £7million bid to lure Aston Villa centre-back, James Chester, to the bet365 Stadium.
This report comes after the Villans rejected Stoke City’s £5million bid, which was their opening offer. Aston Villa are adamant in their valuation of £10million for their 29-year old star centre-back. It is understood that the Lions still owe West Bromwich Albion a part of the £8million transfer fee which they agreed to pay in order to sign him back in 2016.
The Villans are in a very sorry state as they have to raise £40million to abide by the regulations imposed by Financial Fair Play. The club is facing the threat of administration due to their failure to earn a promotion last season and the former Hull City manager has made it very clear that the club has to sell players like Chester, Jonathan Kodjia and Jack Grealish before the deadline to stand a chance of balancing the books.
Stoke City can take advantage of Aston Villa’s situation and they do have the ball in their court in order to sign Chester. The Welsh international will be a galvanizing signing, for he has truckloads of experience of English football under his belt. He has previously plied his trade for the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion and was one of the best defenders in the Championship last season.
Alongside John Terry, Chester engineered a formidable central defensive partnership. In 49 appearances, he scored 4 goals and earned an assist. Besides, he mustered 1.4 tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 7.7 clearances and 0.9 blocks per game on an average. Chester is a shrewd defender, is calm and composed and reads the game meticulously. He is a proven player in the second division and Stoke City will strike gold if they manage to get him on board.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored