Ritchie De Laet’s contract with Aston Villa expires in the summer and rival scouts have been alerted to the possibility of the Belgian defender becoming available on a free transfer, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The 30-year-old is currently on loan at Melbourne City in Australia and the newspaper claims that he is effectively “in the shop window” with the A-League side.
It is understood that Dean Smith is yet to even talk to De Laet since he replaced Steve Bruce in charge at Villa Park, in what could be an ominous sign about the defender’s future at Villa Park.
OPINION
De Laet has been in great form while on loan at Melbourne City, but due to the difference in quality between the A-League and England’s Championship, it’s going to take a lot more than just some good performances Down Under for Smith to hand the Belgian a new deal. Since joining Melbourne City, De Laet has scored seven goals in 23 league appearances and although he a right-back by trade, he has even been played up front by the Aussie club. It’s unlikely that will help his long-term future in the West Midlands, but it’s still nice for Villa fans to see one of their more popular players doing well while out on loan. De Laet will surely find himself a new club in the summer if Villa do what they are expected to do and release the ex-Manchester United player. There are bound to be Championship clubs interested in him or a permanent move to Australia could also be on the cards for the 30-year-old defender.