Villa must up Whelan bid
3rd October 2015 - Barclays Premier League - Aston Villa v Stoke City - Glen Whelan of Stoke City - Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.
Aston Villa will have to improve their offer to land Glenn Whelan.
According to a report on Sky Sports Stoke have rejected a £500,000 offer for their Irish international midfielder.
Whelan has just completed his ninth season at Stoke and has provided great value for the £500,000 paid to Sheffield United.
With a year left on his contract Whelan is hoping to earn a new deal from Mark Hughes but could expect a two or three year contract to switch to Villa Park.
The arrival of Darren Fletcher at Stoke increases competition for places in the Stoke midfield with Whelan starting 26 Premier League matches in the season just finished with more than 250 Premier League appearances clocked up in the last nine seasons.
Steve Bruce is wanting to put together a strong spine to his side of players experienced in the British game and would love to have the experience of Whelan alongside Jack Grealish next season.