by C-R » Fri Nov 07, 2014 1:14 pm
Fabian Delph has told Aston Villa he has no plans to sign a new contract and is set to leave the club in the summer, in another shattering blow for the manager, Paul Lambert.
Delph appears poised for the Villa exit on a free transfer at the end of the season, in a move which is likely to spark interest from Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton, plus Tottenham Hotspur.
The England international has been offered an incentivised four-year deal worth around £50,000 a week by chairman Randy Lerner, as the club attempt to keep him in the West Midlands beyond this current campaign.
But Delph has given the clearest indication yet that he is keen to pursue a new challenge next season by informing Lambert, the manager, that he wants to keep his options open.
The 24-year-old midfielder's current deal expires in June and Villa believe they are facing a losing battle to persuade Delph to sign another long-term contract.
Telegraph Sport understands Delph is prepared to see out the season with Lambert's team, and he will be one of the most sought-after free agents of the summer after recently breaking into Roy Hodgson's squad.
He made his senior international debut in the friendly against Norway in September and then produced a disciplined display in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland, playing the whole 90 minutes despite an early booking.
Signed for around £6 million from Leeds in 2009, Delph suffered two serious knee injuries early in his spell at Villa, but has since emerged as one of the club's key players.
During the pre-season tour of America he told Villa supporters he owed the club for their unwavering loyalty during his injuries. However, three successive relegation battles - with a possible fourth this season - and his elevation to the England squad have convinced him that he will have to take the difficult decision of leaving Villa Park to advance his career.
Delph is unlikely to play for Villa until late December in any case as he is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.
Source: Daily Telegraph