Aston Villa could look to swoop for a Chelsea star this summer.placeholder image
Aston Villa could look to swoop for a Chelsea star this summer. | Getty Images
Aston Villa have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season - and could be set to strengthen further in the summer.
Aston Villa and Chelsea both hope to be competing in the Champions League next season and both remain in a strong position to achieve their goal despite inconsistent recent results.
Unai Emery’s Villa enjoyed an outstanding run of form in the autumn which led to outside shouts of a role in the title race, and while their progress has slowed down in recent weeks they remain comfortably in third place.
The Blues, meanwhile, began life under new head coach Liam Rosenior at a sprint but successive home draws against Leeds United and Burnley have raised concerns as the west London side continue a worrying habit of dropping points from winning positions. Now Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing a Chelsea first-team star this summer, and might be given a major boost in their pursuit – under one condition.
Aston Villa target summer move for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah
According to reports by Football Insider, Aston Villa have “set their sights” on signing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah this summer. The Blues will reportedly only consider sanctioning an exit if they bring in another centre-back in his place.
Chalobah has been at Chelsea since the age of eight and after initially being pushed out under Enzo Maresca, he returned from a loan spell at Crystal Palace in January 2025 and has been a regular starter for the Blues ever since. But amid reports that the west London club are targeting a summer swoop for a defender – Nottingham Forest’s Murillo has been linked – Chalobah could depart for Villa Park as the Villans seek a replacement for the injury-prone Tyrone Mings.
Pete O’Rourke said on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast: “Things possibly could change if Chelsea were to bring in another centre-back, which they are understood to be looking to bring in in the summer window. They tried to sign Jacquet in the January window before losing out to Liverpool for him. They’ve got Levi Colwill to come back from injury as well.”
Chalobah move to Villa could have an impact on both clubs
Chalobah has been a reliable performer for Chelsea since his recall to Stamford Bridge and with a host of more injury-prone defensive options beside him, the 26-year-old could be a major miss if the Blues were to sanction his permanent exit this summer.
But this would certainly be to the benefit of the Villans, who are looking to become a Champions League mainstay and could do with the trophy-winning experience of Chalobah, who of course got his hands on both the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season.
Villa have built a squad filled with experienced pros such as John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, amongst others. But there is room to usher in a new generation at Villa Park and Chalobah could become one of its leading figures if he is brought in at the back.
Chelsea made the mistake of letting go of Chalobah to a Premier League rival once and while on that occasion they had the opportunity to call him back from loan, this time they would not have the same luxury – and his departure could have a bigger impact than they envision.
Continue Reading