Saints are believed to be stepping up their interest in Aston Villa central defender Ron Vlaar as they await Liverpool to up their offer on Dejan Lovren.

Aston Villa understandably do not want to lose their Dutch centre half Ron Vlaar, especially after his performance in the World Cup on top of a good season for Villa, however with only a year left on his contract they may find that they have no choice financially.

Vlaar is not a big earner at Villa whom he joined two years ago from Feyenoord where he of course had worked under current Saints boss Ronald Koeman and this is a big factor in why Saints are being linked with a bid for Vlaar. Add to this that with Villa owner Randy Lerner having put the club up for sale the Midland's club are in no position to tempt Vlaar to stay with a big pay offer and with little to spend in the transfer window could be tempted to accept a decent bid from Saints

Sources say that Koeman is prepared to pay £8-£10 million for Vlaar and apart from increasing his wages from his current Villa money even offer him the captaincy at St Mary's

In many respects this deal makes sense, Koeman knows he needs a leader in the dressing room who knows how he works and to smooth the change over in style both on the pitch and managerially in the dressing room, Vlaar fits that job perfectly.

But also Koeman will be aware that he needs to bring in some Premier proven talent and again Vlaar fits the bill and having starred for Holland in the World Cup would be a signing that would not only command respect on the field but exite the Saints supporters who are looking to see how Koeman rebuilds the squad,Dejan Lovren will be a big name to replace, but if for the money received from Lovren Koeman could buy Vlaar and another decent central defender such as Virgil Van Dijk of Celtic or Stefan De Vrij of Feyenoord then the Saints squad for next season will be looking a whole lot stronger.

Photo: Action Images

Butty101 added 15:19 - Jul 23 Would be a great move, and weaken the competition below us.
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REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 15:22 - Jul 23 Vlaar & De Vrij = Solid defensive partnership as shown at the World Cup. I can't see it happening though to be honest. We've got a chance of getting Vlaar. But by the time Saints pull their finger out a bigger team would've already lined up De Vrij. Also, if Fonte is being touted as our new captain, this surely means that he will start every week and we will only sign one centre back as a direct replacement for Lovren.

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Stephen added 16:03 - Jul 23 Centre half? Oh yeah that's what they called centre backs in the olden days! Lol.
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ronniedavies added 16:24 - Jul 23 Sincerely hope not. Don't rate this guy at all and if you remember Rickie tore him apart in the 4-0 demolition at St.Marys. Too old and lethargic we need to be looking elsewhere to progress
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Cork added 16:49 - Jul 23 I would be concerned about the lack of signings right now specially now Lovren is going . However I do think for the right price Vlaar would be a good signing. But saints need to start being more aggressive when buying a player cause it less than a month to go. De vrig get him too agree great partnership. COYR
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sidsaint added 19:05 - Jul 23 For obvious reasons we should not let Lovren go until we have a replacement ready to sign - whichever of the 3 Dutchmen that appear to be in the frame. Vlaar appears to be the easier to sign due to his contract running out at Villa in a year, but I feel the others are younger and offer more in the long run.
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