Arsenal rival Aston Villa in move for free-transfer centre-back

Gary Cahill Ruben Loftus-Cheek TEAMtalk

TEAMtalk understands Arsenal are looking into offering Gary Cahill a contract, given their restricted transfer budget.

The Gunners are looking for two central defenders, so by landing 33-year-old free-agent Cahill that would free up to £30million to be spent on an alternative signing.

Arsenal are believed to have only around £40million to spend this summer, plus any cash received from incoming transfers.

Cahill is believed to be looking for at least a two-year deal, which the Gunners are unsure about with Unai Emery and director of football Raul Sanllehi only planning on offering a 12-month contract.

Aston Villa would love to bring Cahill back to the club, and assistant boss John Terry has been working hard on getting him to the midlands – but TEAMtalk understands the former England defender would rather stay in London.

With that in mind Crystal Palace, West Ham and Fulham are all keen on striking a deal for the player.

Cahill spent eight seasons in west London after joining from Bolton for £7million, making 290 appearances in all competitions, but he rarely featured under old Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and his contract has been allowed to run down.