According to the Sunday papers Saints are about to complete the signing of Ron Vlaar who is available on a free transfer after turning down a new contract at Villa Park.

Ronald Koeman looks set to land yet another. Dutchman if as is being predicted Ron Vlaar is signed in the next few days, Vlaar like Jordy Clasie played for Koeman at Feyenoord and only last year was rated one of the best central defenders of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The issue with Vlaar though is one of fitness, last season he struggled with calf and knee problems meaning that he played less than half of the game he could of for Villa. However given that he will not cost a transfer fee, he could be a good investment, although he might not be the last central defender to arrive this summer.

Ronald Koeman has been wise in the transfer market this summer so far and made several key signings but at a far less cost than the club have so far received for Schneiderlin & Clyne, Les Reed is on record as saying that the club won't buy just for the sake of buying, but you have the feeling that they may yet have something up their sleeve.

Photo: Action Images

terrybaron added 09:37 - Jul 19 Knowing of the player's history of injuries and his performances for Villa against when Saints thrashed them 6 - 1, and in the F A Cup Final, he would certainly be no replacement for Toby Alderweireld, but only a useful back.up. I would not be inspired with confidence.
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saintpaz added 09:41 - Jul 19 yeah have to say he could only be a back up player. Am sure we are in the market for a "no brainer" starter
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sidsaint added 09:49 - Jul 19 If he comes then he will have passed, hopefully, a comprehensive medical. Then if our staff can get him fitter and faster than he was against us and getting back to his best he would be a useful addition to the squad but no replacement for Toby Alderweireld.
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bigrob68 added 10:02 - Jul 19 poor signing, make celtic an offer they can't refuse
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IanRC added 10:43 - Jul 19 But other paper reports say he is out for a year .....
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Herts_Saint added 11:46 - Jul 19 If we'd signed Vlaar a year ago I'd probably have been very excited by the prospect yet he's not what we need. We need someone who is more athletic, quicker and the right side of 30. Someone who is comfortable on the ball who will compliment Fonte. Van Dijk fits that bill. This signing is crucial, and, we have the money to get him. True, Celtic will realise this and make us pay top dollar, yet I understand it would be worth it. He's fantastic by all accounts. Our defence concerns me at the moment, although less so now given that Soares looks the real deal. Just hope that Bertrand is back soon. This is a signing we simply must make.

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patred added 11:50 - Jul 19 it's being claimed by Sports Witness that Vlaar's knee operation didn't go well, He is initially ruled out for 4 months, but more likely will miss the whole season.
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IWOZTHERE added 11:55 - Jul 19 ALL BEEN SAID....I'd have been worried if they signed him to play alongside Jose. We've praps had a lucky escape according to up to date news.
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saintandy11 added 12:09 - Jul 19 Hope we are looking for better than him. Nothing better than a cover player and we are ok there. Don't see him as any better than Yosh or Gardos. We need a starter not cover so even as a freebie I don't see the point of having him on the wage bill.
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bstokesaint added 12:12 - Jul 19 Would be amazed if this is anything more than cover, which we need. Reckon this will be a good move if we secure bring in a decent first team CB as well. This is where the money needs to be spent.
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SaintBrock added 14:18 - Jul 19 It seems to me that we would have signed him several weeks ago if he had figured in our plans. The guy's on a "free" and had indicated that he didn't wish to stay at Villa Park and we are 3/4 weeks into our pre-season training plan. No, it can't be him we are after his transfer would have been done and dusted weeks ago to get everything else aligned. Probably too old and too risky, old dogs, new tricks and all that. Relax!

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dirk_doone added 17:14 - Jul 19 What a terrible signing he'd be. He's out for at least the next 4 months with his dodgy knee. What would we have to pay him each week to sit at home with his feet up? Even when he managed to play last season, he was awful.
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