Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will discuss Gary Cahill's future with the youngster in the coming weeks after he returned from a loan spell with Sheffield United.
The highly-rated 22-year-old defender has enjoyed a successful period at Bramall Lane and O'Neill confirmed there is firm interest from other clubs.
The Villa boss told the club website, avfc.co.uk: "Gary's situation was that he could spend 30 days or 90 days on loan at Sheffield United and he has come back here for the Christmas programme.
"But I will sit down with him and talk with him. There is more than a measured interest in him because he's done very well at Sheffield United and that was always going to be the case anyway, but we will make that decision.
"There's quite a substantial amount of interest in him and I think Gary is aware of that because people have been speaking to his agent, so I will certainly be sitting down with him in the lead-up to the games.
"I will sit down and speak to him to run through things with him. But it's only fair I speak to him first."
O'Neill also revealed Cahill will undergo minor surgery on a facial injury.
"He's back with us but he has to have a minor operation - it's just a little thing on the side of his face, but it will only be a matter of days before he is fit."
