Southampton are preparing a bid for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar.

Vlaar is seen at Saints as a replacement for Dejan Lovren, who left for Liverpool yesterday.

The Mirror says Southampton boss Ronald Koeman thinks he can convince Vlaar to ditch Villa for Saints after managing him previously at Feyenoord.

The Saints boss is even prepared to offer Vlaar the armband at St Mary's after selling Adam Lallana.

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