Aston Villa tipped to rival Newcastle United in transfer bid for £40m defender

Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in Inter Milan defender Stefan De Vrij. The Dutch international could be on the move this summer and various clubs from around Europe are keeping tabs on him in the event he becomes available.

A client of super agent Mino Raiola, the Dutchman has already been linked with free transfer moves to Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter who are managed by his former Inter boss Antonio Conte.

Newcastle United, who have enjoyed a newfound source of money after their takeover at the back end of last year and who invested heavily in their squad in the January window in order to drag themselves away from relegation danger, reportedly made an offer to De Vrij in January - at a time when he was valued at £40m - but no agreement was struck.

Villa are the latest side to be credited with an interest. Steven Gerrard, who will be hoping to complete comprehensive business this summer - his first in charge of the club - in order to aid their pushing further up the Premier League table, is likely to assess all areas of his squad in the close season and evaluate where money ought to be spent.

He ended the loan spell of Axel Tuanzebe in January, and he himself made for Italy to join Napoli on a similar loan deal. Villa currently are operating with captain Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa, though Calum Chambers - formerly of Arsenal - has so far fulfilled the role Gerrard desired and increased the competition for places.

Villa also have Kortney Hause on their books, though what the summer holds for him remains to be seen.

De Vrij, 30, came through the ranks at Feyenoord in his native Netherlands before completing a move to Lazio in the summer of 2014. After settling into