Aston Villa have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Chelsea defender Gary Cahill due to concerns over the cost of the transfer.

The Villans had been tipped to make a move for the ex-England international, who is into the final six months of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Chelsea are expected to let Cahill leave permanently if any interested clubs step forward with an offer in January, though a loan arrangement is also a possibility.

According to The Telegraph, however, Villa will not be making an approach for Cahill and they are instead considering other targets, having been informed that they will have to pay the 33-year-old's £110,000-a-week wages in full.

Even a six-month deal for the experienced defender will set the Championship outfit back £4m when including the signing-on fee, which has put an end to discussions.

Cahill started his professional career at Villa Park and has gone on to spend four years at Bolton Wanderers and seven years with Chelsea.