Villa to double Vlaar's wages

Cape Town - Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is willing to double Ron Vlaar's wages in order to keep the defender at the club.

The Daily Star report that Manchester United are facing a battle to sign Dutch defender Ron Vlaar.

Ron Vlaar is yet to sign a new deal with Aston Villa with his contract's expiry date fast approaching.

Paul Lambert wants to keep Vlaar at the club and is instructing the club to double Vlaar's wages to the region of 50,000-a-week.  

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal played an intricate part in the defender's impressive displays at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and may proceed with a January bid for the player.

A host of other clubs are interested in the player, including English Premiership duo Tottenham and Everton, but van Gaal hopes to use his Dutch connection in order to seal a deal for the 29-year-old central defender.

Aston Villa are in a troublesome position with the prospect of losing Vlaar on a free transfer next year if they do not accept a January bid.