Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton could be heading for the exit door at Villa Park as talks regarding a new deal were postponed following the financial bombshell at the club, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper reports on their website that Villa boss Steve Bruce promised the six foot (source: Transfermarkt) right back before the Championship Play-Off Final on May 26 that discussions regarding a new contract would take place “next week”, which have since come to a standstill.
However, it has now been reported that Chinese owner Dr Xia is preparing cutbacks after the club missed out on promotion after the 1-0 loss to Fulham, which look to have impacted hugely on Hutton’s future.
Despite Bruce saying that the 33-year-old would be guaranteed a new deal no matter what league Aston Villa were in, it looks as though these cutbacks could cause Hutton to follow John Terry out of the exit.
OPINION
After a long spell at Villa Park, Hutton undoubtedly has established himself as a fan favourite. However, the postponing of talks will obviously frustrate the Scot, as he has been key player in helping his club reach Wembley. Even his manager and teammates claimed he should have his contract renewed, which does not come as a surprise with the defender’s level of experience. It would be a shame to let a star player like Hutton go, but with the financial crisis the club currently find themselves in, a number of players will find themselves in the same shoes despite their performances this season. He will attract a number of clubs, some in the Premier League, and will be a welcome asset if he does decide to find another club. As it does not look like Villa’s money problems will be sorted any time soon, it may be the perfect time for Hutton to continue his playing career elsewhere.