Roberto Di Matteo’s rebuilding process at Aston Villa will include a £2.5-million move for Leicester City defender Ritchie De Laet according to the Sun.
The report states: “After a terrible start to the Midlands club’s Championship season, new Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia appears to have lost faith in the current squad with new players set to come in.”
De Laet’s switch to the West Midlands is nearing completion with Villa hoping to tie the deal up before the weekend’s home Championship fixture against Rotherham United.
The former Manchester United defender made 12 appearances for the Foxes last term, winning the Premier League in the process, and also helped Middlesbrough into the top flight during his loan spell in the North East.
De Laet is considered primarily a right back but has the ability to slot in anywhere along the back-line. The 27-year-old has made over 150 league appearances in a career that has also taken in Stoke, Preston, Sheffield United, Portsmouth and Norwich.
