Aston Villa are reportedly now in serious danger of losing Matty Cash in the summer transfer window.
The Lowdown: Standout right-back
Cash has no doubt been one of the standout right-backs in the Premier League so far this season. He is ranked as the third-best player to have played in 15 or more games in the position, per WhoScored, just behind Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Described as 'one of the best' full-backs in the top flight by Kevin Phillips, Cash also averages the most tackles (2.9) and interceptions (1.8) per game (WhoScored), and so Villa may face a battle to keep hold of him for next season.
The Latest: Atletico Madrid have 'serious' interest
Taking to Twitter, Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Villa are now in serious danger of losing Cash to La Liga and UEFA Champions League giants Atletico Madrid come the summer:
"Atletico Madrid are seriously interested in signing Matty Cash for next season.
"Direct contacts started in January and he's still in Atleti list as potential new right-back for Diego Simeone, highly appreciated.
"Cash will be in Atletico list again for sure."
The Verdict: Potential huge blow
Even though Villa are an established Premier League side, and the owners clearly have big ambitions of their own after the captures of Phillipe Coutinho and Lucas Digne last month, it seems sadly inevitable that heads will be turned by mega clubs, such is the quality in Steven Gerrard's squad.
Indeed, Atletico regularly compete for the Champions League and won La Liga last season - no matter how much Cash loves his life in the Midlands, it would be hard to begrudge him such a move.
He would no doubt be a huge loss, given his importance to the team, as he is currently ranked as their fifth-best player this term.
Nonetheless, at 24 years of age, the Poland international still has so much potential, and it would be very difficult to find a like-for-like replacement.