Deadline Day: Ron Vlaar Not Leaving Aston Villa Despite Arsenal Interest

Ron Vlaar will not be leaving Aston Villa on transfer deadline day despite reported interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, the defender's agent has confirmed.

Vlaar's impressive performances at the World Cup in Brazil under Louis van Gaal saw him linked with a move to Old Trafford to strengthen the club's meagre options in defence.

Following Thomas Vermaelen's move to Barcelona in August, Arsene Wenger also made tentative enquiries into the 27-year-old's availability but the player's agent Arnold Oosterveer has ended talk of an 11<sup>th hour move away from Villa Park.

Oosterveer was quoted as saying by the Guardian: "There is no truth in any of the rumours. He still has a contract with Villa for one year so he will stay there. There is nothing happening with him today."

Following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this summer United had been expected to bolster their options at centre half. The club have added Marcos Rojo to their ranks but the Argentine international is likely to be the only addition in that position with the club's focus now on pushing through a deal for Radamel Falcao in the remaining hours of the transfer window.

Despite Wenger assuring supporters the club would be "very active" on transfer deadline day, the club are yet to make any big moves in the market.

A striker would appear to be a priority for the club with Olivier Giroud unlikely to be available until the start of 2015 but with only 19-year-old Calum Chambers providing cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, further reinforcements are needed.

Aston Villa meanwhile are hoping to build on their impressive start to the season by securing a deal for Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales. Sky Sports suggest the club have turned to the Real Sociedad star after cooling their interest in Manchester United's Tom Cleverley due to wage demands.