Premier League newcomers Aston Villa are set to sign Gary Cahill following his release from Chelsea last week, it has been claimed.
A host of clubs, including West Ham United and Arsenal are believed to be chasing Cahill but the Daily Star understands that the Villans are leading the race to sign him.
Following their promotion to the Premier League under the tutelage of Dean Smith, Aston Villa have been very busy this summer trying to beef up their ranks.
Smith has already acquired the services of Wesley Moraes, Kortney Hause, Anwar El Ghazi and Matt Targett but is still keen on a few more additions before the start of next season.
The central defence is one of the areas they need to strengthen in order to try and give a good account of themselves and Smith believes the former Bolton man is the right person for the job.
Why it makes sense to sign Cahill?
Cahill is a battle-hardened defender and the huge amount of experience of English football will surely add immense value to Villa’s backline.
Having started his senior career at Aston Villa, he mustered loan spells at Burnley and Sheffield United and was eventually signed by Bolton Wanderers in the January transfer window of 2008.
The centre-back impressed for the Wanderers and after four years, he was prised away by Chelsea. There were initial doubts regarding his move but the signing actually turned out to be an inspired one and Cahill was an asset for the Blues during his stay at Stamford Bridge.
He won the Premier League and the Europa League title twice, two FA Cups and also has a Champions League winners’ medal as the cherry on the top. Villa will benefit from his experience on the biggest of stages and he will bring the much-needed winning mentality to the side which has a lot of potential to perform decently in their comeback season.
Last season was a blip in his career with the player falling out with Maurizio Sarri but he will be keen to get back on the pitch and contribute.
The former English international is dominant in the air, is decisive with his tackles and reads the game well. Over the years, he has developed his game and can be a genuine leader at the back and be someone who a newly promoted side can only draw positives from.
Smith has just James Chester and Hause on his books to cater to his side’s central defensive needs. In such a scenario, bringing someone like Cahill will enhance their quality and also cultivate competition for a place in the starting line-up.