Steve Sidwell reportedly wants a £3million golden handshake from Chelsea before he moves to a new Premier League club this summer.

Manchester City and Aston Villa have emerged as the leading contenders for the 25-year-old's signature - but they are not alone in admiring him, with Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle, West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Blackburn also believed to be keen.

Sidwell, however, still has three years left on his £50,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge, and wants a tidy pay-off despite having only made seven league appearances since joining the Blues on a free from Reading in May last year.

His agent Eric Walters said: "His situation is he's under contract to Chelsea for another three years and Steven is happy to fight for his place."