Ron Vlaar has been linked with Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Aston Villa have told Manchester United they will have to cough up £12m if they want to lure Ron Vlaar to Old Trafford in January, according to reports.

The Dutch international, who was linked with joining his former national team manager at United over the summer, has less than a year to run on his current contract.

But despite the ball seeming to be in Louis van Gaal’s court, Villa have slapped a £12m price tag on their captain’s head, according to ESPN.

Man United are keen to bolster their defensive options when the transfer window re-opens, following the losses of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand over the summer.




And 29-year-old Vlaar is expected to be among Van Gaal’s top targets, having starred for Holland at the World Cup.

United are also thought to be interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, although it is unlikely he will be willing to quit the club in January.

MORE: Why former Aston Villa captain Gareth Southgate should succeed Roy Hodgson