Transfer Rumours: United thwarted in Vlaar swoop

Ron Vlaar has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford move

Manchester United were linked with Ron Vlaar all summer long and continue to be, yet it looks as though the Dutch central defender will stay at Villa Park.

Manchester United look to have suffered a setback in their attempt to sign Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar, according to The Mirror.

The centre-back was thought to have been close to signing for United over the summer but the West Midlands outfit managed to keep hold of the Dutch international.

A fresh bid is still expected to come from Old Trafford in the January window but Villa boss Paul Lambert is believed to be flying out to America for talks with owner Randy Lerner to wrap up a new, improved deal for Vlaar, along with Fabian Delph and Jack Grealish.

Sticking with The Mirror, and the paper suggests Sebastien Bassong could be set for a switch from Norwich to fellow Championship outfit Watford. The defender has fallen down the pecking order at Carrow Road and the Hornets are believed the be keen on signing the experienced French centre-back.

Meanwhile, The Sun is reporting Juventus will allow United target Arturo Vidal to leave Turin, after the player was allegedly involved in a nightclub brawl. The apparent incident looks like it could play into the hands of the Red Devils who were desperate to land the talented attacker over the summer. A recent change in circumstances for Vidal is likely to alert United boss Louis van Gaal to try and make another bid for the Chilean.

Moving on to reports from the Daily Star, which suggests both Liverpool and Arsenal are keen on landing Real Madrid veteran keeper Iker Casillas. The Spain international has spent his entire career at the Santiago Bernabeu but reports suggest he could be tempted to start a new challenge in the Premier League.

Both the Reds and the Gunners are keen to bolster their options between the sticks and could be tempted by a move for the 33-year-old in the new year.

News from Italy and Corriere dello Sport claims an unnamed English team made a 10million euros bid to sign AC Milan's Keishuke Honda over the summer transfer window. The Japanese international remained at the San Siro but, having failed to hit the ground running in Milan, a new bid from the unknown Premier League side could be on the cards.

Finally and news coming out of Stamford Bridge and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech says he may have to look for a move away from the Blues if he can't be guaranteed more regular football.

Cech has found himself behind Thibault Courtois in the pecking order at The Bridge and, with his place in the Czech national side under the threat, he does not want to be sitting on the bench on a regular basis for his club before the European Championships in 2016.