Aston Villa’s Ritchie de Laet is reportedly set for a move away.
According to The World Game in Australia, Aston Villa defender Ritchie de Laet is nearing a move to Melbourne City in order to reunite with Warren Joyce.
De Laet, 29, was a major signing for then-Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo in the summer of 2016, luring him to Villa Park from Leicester City.
However, the Belgian defender has suffered major injury problems with Villa, and has made just 13 appearances for the club in all competitions during his two years with the club.
Having been sent out to Royal Antwerp in his native Belgium last season, De Laet is now back with Villa – but he could be on the move even with the English transfer window closed.
The World Game in Australia report that De Laet is poised to sign for Melbourne City, in a move which will see him reunite with boss Warren Joyce.
Joyce was Royal Antwerp boss when De Laet was there as a youngster, and then reunited with the Manchester United reserves, and the duo are set to work together once again.
Whilst De Laet is behind the likes of Alan Hutton, Ahmed Elmohamady and James Bree at full back, he does have some experience of playing at centre back over the course of his career.
That is an area where Villa are desperately short right now, as midfielder Mile Jedinak has been forced to play there, and whilst De Laet could have offered some relief there, Steve Bruce is about to let him leave for a move to Australia.
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