Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill travelled to Holland at the weekend to run the rule over prospective signing Thomas Vermaelen.
According to Algemen Dagblad, O’Neill watched the Belgian in action for Ajax against FC Twente on the final day of the Eredivisie season on Sunday.
A new centre back will be a priority signing for the Villa manager this summer, with serious doubts over the future availability of captain Martin Laursen.
The 31-year-old has been dogged by knee injuries and revealed recently that he will take a decision soon on whether or not he is to continue playing.
Vermalen, a 23-year-old Belgium international, would fit the bill for O’Neill, with the Ajax stopper having carved out a formidable reputation in Holland.