Emirates Stadium side look to strengthen defence.
Arsenal are lining up a surprise bid for Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar according to the Daily Star.
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The 29 year old Dutch international is into the final year of his Villa Park contract and is yet to hold talks on an extension, which leaves Paul Lambert’s side vulnerable to January offers for the former Feyenoord man.
Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner would be loathed to lose Vlaar on a free transfer next summer, and as such could be ready to accept offers for the tough tackling centre-back.
Man United are also said to be keen on Vlaar, which could help drive the price up if indeed Villa opt to sell, though Arsene Wenger hopes he can lure the World Cup star to the Emirates Stadium instead.
Wenger has experienced something of a defensive crisis this term with the Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna moving to Barcelona and Man City respectively whilst Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal are sidelined with injuries with young signing Calum Chambers having to play a far more prominent role than the French manager had probably had planned for the former Southampton man.
Vlaar would offer Wenger a solid back-up to challenge first choice centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscienly and the Aston Villa man may feel confident he can secure a regular berth if given the opportunity.