Sign up NOW for our daily Villa newsletter direct to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Aston Villa have had a £1.3million bid rejected by Ajax for their wantaway left-back Nicolai Boilesen.

The claret and blues have targeted the Danish international but will have to stump up another £1m if they are to have any chance of landing their man.

Club captain Boilesen has a year remaining on his current deal and is keen on a move to either England or Spain.

Ajax director Marc Overmars recently confirmed the captain’s inevitable departure by saying: ”He has indicated that he wants to look abroad, and that is fine.”

At this stage it’s unclear whether Villa will table an improved offer for the 23-year-old as they continue to monitor all options.

Boss Tim Sherwood knows that a new left-back is essential as there are concerns over Kieran Richardson’s fitness levels.

Aly Cissokho has been told he can find a new club while the long-term future of Joe Bennett has also not yet been decided.

Boilesen, who joined Ajax in 2010, has won the Dutch league four times.

His form dipped last year as injuries thwarted his progress but those close to him insist his problems are now behind him.