"Going to have a battle on their hands" - Journalist says AVFC could face fight to keep £16m ace

Aston Villa are ‘going to have a battle on their hands’ to keep hold of defender Matty Cash amid apparent interest from Atletico Madrid, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the reigning Spanish champions in recent weeks after putting in a string of impressive performances for his current side.

According to Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano (as relayed by The Sun), Cash is ‘still top of the list’ for Atleti as they continue their search for a new right-back ahead of the summer transfer window.

Romano said on his Here We Go podcast: “I want to say again about Matty Cash and Atletico Madrid because it was already news in [January].

“But I wanted to say again because he’s still top of the list for Atletico Madrid as right-back. And so, it’s a serious, serious possibility for Atleti.”

The Sun also claim that Cash held talks with the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium outfit over a potential move following the departure of former first-choice full-back Kieran Trippier.

It’s believed that Villa are set to demand between £30 million and £40m for the Poland international, who still has over three years remaining on his current contract.

Cash has been a mainstay for Steven Gerrard’s charges this season, starting all 29 of their Premier League fixtures to date.

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However, O’Rourke believes the Midlanders will find it difficult to retain the services of the attack-minded full-back if Atleti follow up their interest.

He told GiveMeSport: “They’re going to have a battle on their hands to keep Matty Cash this summer if Atletico do follow up the interest because it’s going to be hard