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Aston Villa could be set for a summer-long battle to keep hold of Ron Vlaar, with Queens Park Rangers set to test their resolve with a £4 million bid.

Rangers were keen to bring in Steven Caulkner to partner new signing Rio Ferdinand.

But the Cardiff defender looks set to move to Crystal Palace, leaving Harry Redknapp needing to seek new options.

And Villa skipper Vlaar is expected to top his wishlist, with the Loftus Road club expected to make their move imminently.

The Dutchman, who is in the final year of his contract, was one of the stars of the World Cup, earning high praise from recent Rangers’ arrival Ferdinand, who was working for the BBC as a pundit.

Vlaar is on extended leave following the tournament and will not meet up with boss Paul Lambert for a fortnight at least.

By which time Redknapp will know where original target Caulker is headed from relegated Cardiff and could make a move for the £30,000-a-week centre-half.

Team-mate Jores Okore was not surprised by Vlaar’s form in Brazil, where he was one of the Netherlands’ star performers, notably in the semi-final defeat against Argentina.

Okore said: “I am really proud of him but not surprised. I’m really glad for him and hope he can bring some of that back to us – make us perform like he did in the summer.

(Image: (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images))

“I hope it can rub off on us. He will come back with confidence, a good attitude and it will help us. He showed us what he can do in the summer. I hope he does it again.

“I think when you have a lot of confidence and play with your heart then anything is possible. Ron showed his true potential at the World Cup.

‘‘This year he has done really well for us. I’m looking forward to him coming back, and playing with him. It will be amazing.”

(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Okore also believes recent arrival Roy Keane will be a huge inspiration to Villa’s players.

The ex-Ipswich and Sunderland boss was appointed as Paul Lambert’s No2 earlier this month.

Okore has been impressed by what he has seen so far.

“He’s talking to everyone, trying to get to know us,” said Okore.

“Hopefully it will be a great appointment. His football experience is vast. He has been through a lot, played in a lot of games and knows what football is all about. He’s a leader and knows what to do to motivate us. Hopefully he can really bring something extra to the table to get us to pay at the highest level.

“He’s been a manager and coach before so we think he’ll bring a lot of good things.”