Stoke City chairman, Peter Coates, has insisted the club will not stand in the way of Glenn Whelan, if he wishes to leave the bet365 Stadium later this summer, reports the Mirror’s live blog (12/06, 16:25).

Aston Villa, are interested in signing Whelan this summer, and Steve Bruce’s side have reportedly had a £500k bid for the midfielder rejected, with Stoke holding out for £1m.

Despite featuring regularly for Stoke in the Premier League last season, Whelan looks to be considering his future with the Potters, particularly after the arrival of Darren Fletcher from West Bromwich Albion.

Coates has now confirmed if Whelan wants to leave Stoke this summer, the club will not stand in his way, he said: “If someone comes in for Glenn and Glenn wants to go we wouldn’t want to stand in his way.

“I don’t predict things like that in football but it’s a possibility.”

The 33-year old has been with Stoke since January 2008, and has played a major role under both Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes, helping the Potters establish themselves in the Premier League.

During his first six-months with Stoke, Whelan helped the club to promotion from the Championship, and since then has spent nine seasons in the top-flight with the Potters.

Whelan has made almost 350 appearances for Stoke during his nine-and-a-half year spell with the club, impressing in the Premier League last season, making 30 appearances for Hughes’ side, which has alerted Villa to his potential availability.

Villa fans… Are you hoping Bruce pursues a move for Whelan? Is he what your club needs? Let us know your thoughts!