Aston Villa: £40m target 'could take Villans to next level'

Aston Villa signing Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij could take them to the “next level”, claims journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 30-year-old has recently been linked with a move to the Midlands club, though O’Rourke expects them to face a lot of competition for his signature.

According to Football Insider, Steven Gerrard wants to sign an “A-list centre-back” this summer and De Vrij has been identified as a target.

The same outlets states that Inter valued the Dutchman at £40m in January, but that number could now drop as he approaches the final year of his contract.

De Vrij has been an automatic starter for Simone Inzaghi’s side when fit this season, making over 20 appearances in Serie A, so his manager will surely not want to lose him.

However, that now looks like a real possibility due to the player’s contract situation and interest from other clubs.

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O’Rourke believes De Vrij would be the kind of signing that drastically improves Villa, though he cannot see them getting a free run at the Netherlands international, who was once described as a “monster” by former team-mate Mauricio.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the transfer insider said: “He’s somebody who could maybe help take them to that next level, but I think there’ll be a lot of competition for his signature.”

Yes. As O’Rourke has said, De Vrij could take Villa to the next level. He is a player with a lot of experience, making over 200 appearances in Italy, and a lot of quality.

Former manager Antonio Conte, who De Vrij won the 2020/21 Serie A title with, has compared him to Italy legend and Juventus rock Leonardo Bonucci in the past.

“Stefan, like Bonucci, becomes an