Monchi to look for Matty Cash upgrade at Aston Villa with new transfer set
Aston Villa and Monchi will be "looking for an upgrade" on Matty Cash after his recent transfer links with AC Milan, according to Alan Hutton.
The Polish international had a mixed season under Unai Emery as the Villans booked their place in the Champions League, only starting 23 games in the Premier League as he shared his duties with Ezri Konsa.
Reports have suggested that the 26-year-old has caught the attention of AC Milan and while Villa are willing to let him leave this summer, they will only listen to offers upwards of £17million [Calcio Mercato, 9 June].
Although Hutton is slightly surprised to hear that the Villans are willing to let Cash depart Villa Park this summer, he has tipped the Polish defender to stay in the Premier League and continue to fight for his place under Emery.
"It's a strange one and I'm not sure where I sit on this," Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
"Konsa played at right back for several games last season, and Matty Cash played there for a number of seasons, both had injuries at moments in time but it made me think do they see Cash as the number one right back moving forward?
"Are they looking to replace him? Or are they looking for somebody to give him competition and that's why Konsa was there for that competition that he needed?
"They have been interested in right backs, high-level right backs if I'm honest which probably sways me towards the idea that they're possibly looking for an upgrade.
"But look this is down to Matty Cash, I was in the same position myself season upon season when new right-backs were coming in and I had that within me that I was going to fight for my place and I'm pretty sure he'll be the same.
"That will depend if the AC Milan links are true and they're going to come in with an offer for him and then we'll see where it takes us.
"If that were to happen, then they may find themselves needing a couple of new right backs."
Will Aston Villa sell Matty Cash to AC Milan in the summer transfer window?
As Villa prepare for Champions League football next season, it is only natural that they will make one or two changes to their squad to step up to the next level and right back is one of the areas that could do with some improvements.
Both Cash and Konsa have impressed at times this season and while the Englishman tends to look more comfortable when part of a back three, it is hard to say whether the Polish international has what it takes to play at the top level.
If Milan matches Villa's asking price, they would be silly not to let him go as they could reinvest that money and secure one of the many "high-level" players they have already been linked with.
It will entirely depend on what sort of money the Serie A giants put on the table during the off-season.
In other Aston Villa news, Ross Barkley's stance on a summer move to Villa Park has emerged as personal terms have been mooted
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