Aston Villa will demand £12m from Man United for Ron Vlaar

Manchester United are likely to bring in defensive reinforcements in the winter transfer window, according to a host of sources.

Mats Hummels has been the name touted about the most over the past few months but it is questionable whether the German World Cup winner would leave Borussia Dortmund, especially in January.

Today, the well connected Miguel Delaney reports for ESPN FC that one of Manchester United’s main targets, Ron Vlaar, would cost 12 million pounds in January.

Vlaar impressed under Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal at the World Cup for Holland and would likely bring a calming example to some of the younger defenders at Old Trafford.

The surprise in this transfer story is that Vlaar would cost so much considering the Dutchman is out of contract at Aston Villa at the end of the 2014/2015 season.

But, as has been pointed out elsewhere, there are not many top class central defenders for Manchester United to buy in the coming months.

Delaney suggests Ryan Shawcross from Stoke could be another option for Manchester United