Former Man City defender Micah Richards chose Aston Villa over Inter Milan

Despite signing a new contract with Villa in January it was recently reported that a surprisingly low release clause of “around £10 million” was factored into Delph’s current deal.

“I know the level’s a lot harder now but the manager’s always said if you’re good enough you’ll get the chance and I hope the players do get the chance”.

“Some of those were here and some were overseas”.

Richards admitted Benteke would be missed if he leaves Villa, having scored 42 Premier League goals in 89 appearances.

Delph, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad stadium over recent weeks as Manuel Pellegrini looks to add homegrown players to his squad to meet the quota.

Sterling is looking increasingly likely to depart Merseyside this summer as the relationship between club and player now seems beyond fix, per Sky Sports.

At 27-years-old the Birmingham-born ace should be hitting his prime and his new boss believes that will be the case. I told him I can’t comment to be honest.

“They tried to get me in January but that didn’t materialise”.

“I don’t want to say go there and then he [Pellegrini] doesn’t play him – he’ll be ringing me up afterwards!”

“I didn’t want to be out in Italy and then the manager gets sacked and I’m fighting for my place”, he said. “I’m sure he’ll make the right one”.

A prolonged stay in Manchester was also an option but Richards had no interest of playing second fiddle.

“I was speaking to Inter”, said Richards. “My problem over the last couple of years has been picking up injuries and getting that consistency of playing”.

“It doesn’t matter how much money you are offered, I thought I can’t keep doing this”.

Using the knowledge to advise Delph, Richards also used the situation of James Milner as an example, explaining that “James had played six or seven positions and still wanted to leave”, as the midfielder left for Liverpool last week.

“As a player, especially in the Premier League, if you get offered to play somewhere regularly, you have to take it”.