Gerrard eyes Germany defender with contact made but Villa target ‘waiting for other options’

A report claims Aston Villa will try to sign defender Matthias Ginter this summer when he leaves Borussia Monchengladbach to become a free agent.

The 28-year-old is currently in his fifth season with Gladbach after joining Die Fohlen from Borussia Dortmund in July 2017. And he has certainly made a significant contribution to the club, with 177 appearances in all competitions – all of them starts. The towering centre-back has also been capped 46 times by Germany and was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad.

However, he will fall out of contract at Borussia-Park at the end of the campaign and clubs are queuing up for his signature. In January, the former Freiburg stopper admitted he would not be signing fresh terms with Gladbach and had “decided to follow another path”.

It remains to be seen where he plies his trade next term, with the likes of Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Newcastle said to be keen. Villa’s name had now been added to his list of suitors.

Steven Gerrard has hinted that he will be looking to strengthen his rearguard over the summer months. And landing the 28-year-old for nothing would certainly appeal.

Other clubs will enter the picture but Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenburg revealed that the West Midlanders are interested.

He tweeted: “News #Ginter: Gerrard wants him! @AVFCOfficial officials have spoken to his management. But Ginter has not made a decision yet. He waits for other options.”

Aston Villa look safe from any threat of relegation, having taken 36 points from 31 games. But their mid-table berth cannot mask the problems at the club.

Dean Smith’s sacking and the arrival of an England legend was supposed to prompt an upturn in fortunes. But, after an initial bounce, it has been tough