"Would be a real big signing for Aston Villa" - Journalist reacts after exciting rumour emerges

Aston Villa ‘definitely’ have Inter Milan ace Stefan de Vrij on their radar ahead of the summer transfer window and the defender would prove to be a ‘real big signing’ if he heads to Villa Park, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Steven Gerrard was appointed as the Midlands club’s head coach last November and has already shown he is not afraid to splash the cash after Villa were Europe’s sixth biggest spenders in January.

According to Football Insider, Villa are keeping tabs on de Vrij as Gerrard wants to sign an ‘A-list centre-back’ this summer.

The report suggests the 55-cap Netherlands international would have cost as much as £40million at the turn of the year, but it appears he could be available for a cut-price fee at the end of the season.

Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have revealed Inter would be willing to sanction de Vrij’s San Siro departure if a bid worth in the region of £17million is lodged.

That is because the 6 ft 2 colossus will enter the final 12 months of his £116,000-per-week contract in the summer.

But it appears Villa are set to face stiff competition for the 30-year-old as Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also tracking de Vrij, who got his hands on the Serie A title last term.

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O’Rourke understands that Gerrard has ear-marked de Vrij as a potential arrival ahead of the summer transfer window opening for business.

The journalist believes the Dutchman would vastly improve Villa’s options at the heart of their defence.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think it’s somebody that Villa will definitely have on their radar.

“Somebody like Stefan de Vrij would be a real big