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Opinion: Dean Smith should sign highly-rated Dutchman to strengthen Aston Villa’s defence

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Image for Opinion: Dean Smith should sign highly-rated Dutchman to strengthen Aston Villa’s defence

According to The Sun, Aston Villa are interested in signing Mike van der Hoorn when the season comes to a close. The Swansea City defender will be out of contract in the coming months and could be on his way out of the Liberty Stadium as a result.

Dean Smith has strengthened his backline by recalling Tommy Elphick from his loan spell at Hull City and by signing Kortney Hause on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. He’s still looking for another central defender, however, likely because Axel Tuanzebe will return to his parent club at the end of the season.

Van der Hoorn has made 76 appearances in all competitions since joining Swansea from Ajax in 2016 and has been a regular at the heart of their backline this campaign. The 26-year-old, who has represented the Netherlands at u21 level, has played in all 30 of Swansea’s Championship outings and has captained the side on 15 occasions.

The talented defender has admitted to Football Oranje that his future is uncertain but revealed that Swansea do have the option to extend his contract in the coming months, saying: “I’m just starting to number things up in my head about what I want to do. I have the option of a new contract, so it’s not really a free transfer (at the end of the season).

“The club has to decide if they want to activate that option. So, it’s up to them and we’re in talks over maybe a new contract. There’s a lot of things in my mind, but I just have to decide and I have to know what Swansea wants in the future and I have to know what I want. That’s how I’ll decide my future.”

He’d be good option for Villa and wouldn’t break the bank if he’s available on a free transfer over the summer. Time will tell if Smith can get his man.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article

Opinion: Aston Villa should not sign right-winger to replace Jack Grealish

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.