Exclusive: Aston Villa make enquiry for impressive 26y/o World Cup star as Terry replacement
Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers have made approaches for Australia's World Cup star Trent Sainsbury, Football Insider sources understands.
Villa are looking to bolster their defensive options this summer as they look for a replacement for John Terry following his departure after their Championship play-off defeat to Fulham.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Sainsbury is keen on a move to Europe this summer with England his preferred destination.
With Sainsbury in the final year of his contract at Jiangsu Suning, Villa would hope they could land the imposing defender for a cut-price fee and the presence of Australia team-mate Mile Jedinak at Villa Park could persuade him to move to Villa ahead of other clubs.
Sainsbury has been earning rave reviews in Russia after impressive displays for Australia at the World Cup against France and Denmark.
The central defender's performances have not gone unnoticed with a host of clubs across Europe expressing an interest in the player.
Sainsbury is plying his trade in China with Jiangsu Suning, but is in the last year of his deal at the Chinese Super League club after spending the second half of last season on at Swiss club Grasshoppers Zurich.
QPR boss Steve McClaren is in the market for defensive reinforcements after seeing Nedum Onouha and Jack Robinson both leave Loftus Road this summer and he sees Sainsbury as a key addition to his plans.
In other Aston Villa news, PL giants offer Aston Villa lifeline in £30m deal for 22-year-old star