Vlaar Eyes Villa Exit

The 30-year-old centre-back, out of contract at the
end of the month, wants to take a step up in his
career and looks increasingly likely to reject any
offer of an extension
Ron Vlaar is set to leave Aston Villa despite the
offer of a new contract after admitting he can play
at a higher level than the FA Cup finalists.
Villa are fast running out of time to convince the
30-year-old to stay, with the centre-back –

frequently linked with a reunion with Louis van
Gaal at Manchester United – out of contract on
June 30.
The Villa Park outfit confirmed on Monday that
Vlaar had been offered fresh terms following the
club's survival, while Darren Bent was released on
a free, joining Derby County permanently.
But it looks increasingly unlikely that Vlaar will
remain at Villa, with the Netherlands international
claiming he can take a step forward in his career
and needs time to assess his options.
"I want to maximise my career and I think I can go
a step higher," the Dutchman is quoted as saying
in The Mirror . "I will look at it and go quietly."
Vlaar joined the club from Feyenoord in 2012 but
has faced a number of injury problems, making 84
appearances in all competitions during his three
years in England so far.
Villa are currently facing a degree of uncertainty,
with Vlaar stalling on a new deal, Christian Benteke
on many Premier League clubs' transfer wishlists
and Randy Lerner rumoured to be close to selling
the club.