According to a report published by The Telegraph, Aston Villa defender Ritchie De Laet is in talks to join Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
The 29-year-old appears to be surplus to requirements at Villa Park this season as he has gone on to make just one appearance so far and is firmly behind the likes of Alan Hutton and Ahmed Elmohamady in the clubs pecking order.
De Leat began his football career with Antwerp before moving to England to join Stoke in 2007.
It has been reported that a number of League One clubs are interested in signing De Laet this month, however he is said to not be keen on stepping down a level which means that a reunion with Antwerp is on the cards.
Villa boss Bruce said: “So, for me, the loan system should allow us to loan our players and let them go and play for another club for six or eight weeks even.
“I’ve got two, three or four players who would benefit for going out on loan. Ideally, though, we don’t want to let them leave for four months.”
