The latest transfer news as Aston Villa move to offer new contracts amid strong interest from Chelsea.

Aston Villa are preparing new contract offers for two key players amid transfer interest from Premier League rivals and clubs abroad.

Unai Emery’s side are having to think hard about every ounce of business this summer as they are heavily restricted by a host of financial regulations. Villa have waved farewell to any concerns over a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules thanks to an agreed sale of the women’s team, but an effort still needs to be made to reduce the wage bill to comply with UEFA’s strict squad cost rules (SCR).

That means keeping key players currently already the club is easier than bringing in new additions, at least in most cases. Signing established talent doesn’t only come at a significant cost in terms of transfer fees, but also wage demands. With that in mind, maintaining as much of the existing core as possible is probably the best approach, especially given the success had with the current crop in the past two seasons.

Aston Villa preparing new contracts for important duo

Two players - of many - who Emery sees as vital for the season ahead are Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne. Both have attracted widespread transfer interest and have been linked with moves away from Villa Park, but Birmingham World understands Emery wants to keep both players around.

It won’t come as a surprise that Rogers is seen as indispensable given his meteoric rise last campaign, but keeping Digne may not be as obvious. The France international is now 32 years of age and is on a high salary, so he has been tipped to leave to help reduce Villa’s wage bill. However, it’s understood Emery wants to keep Digne around as he highly values the strong competition he offers for fellow left-back Ian Maatsen.

Birmingham World has been told by a source close to the club that new contract offers are being prepared for both Rogers and Digne. In the case of Rogers, Villa want to vastly improve the versatile attacker’s salary, better in line with his status as one of the club’s best players. Digne isn’t expected to be handed a wage hike of his own as he’s already one of the highest-paid players.

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid could miss out

If Rogers and Digne do put pen to paper on contract extensions, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid could be left disappointed. Chelsea have been heavily linked with Rogers in recent months as they seek to bolster their attacking options, while the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have also been credited with a strong interest.

Digne has been the subject of intrigue from elsewhere, too, as Atletico were linked with a move earlier in the transfer window. The Madrid-based La Liga giants have signed Matteo Ruggeri as a new left-back but that didn’t stop speculation emerging that a move for Digne could follow for depth purposes.

It’s still possible that Digne could leave if a new contract cannot be agreed as he only has 11 months left on his current terms and Villa would rather not lose him for free. Rogers, meanwhile, is not considered for sale at any price – regardless of whether he signs a new deal.