Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is playing down talk that he could sign for Manchester United or Arsenal in the January transfer window.
The news will come as a blow to both clubs who are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements.
Vlaar’s current contract runs out at the end of the season, and United and Arsenal were hoping to pick up the 29 year old on the cheap.
Louis van Gaal has been heavily linked with signing Vlaar, who was an integral part of van Gaal’s Dutch national team that got to the World Cup semi-final stage.
However Vlaar insists it is merely speculation and says that he has started talking about a possible extension at Villa Park.
“I have nothing to say [about a transfer] because there is nothing going on,” he said.
“I have spoken to the gaffer a few times [concerning a new deal] but that is it so far.”
After starting the season with three wins out of four, Villa lost six in a row and have since slumped to 16th in the Premier League table, just two points above the bottom three.
Last time out came a timely draw away at West Ham and Vlaar believes his side can recover from their abysmal run of form.
“We know we needed to change something and it started with the determination we showed against West Ham. It was a positive result for us.”
By Joseph Richardson
