---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Conte wants to reunite with Stefan de Vrij"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/de-vrij-spurs-transfer-latest-conte-paratici-dean-jones/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Tottenham Hotspur News"
published: "2022-03-14T13:35:34Z"
modified: "2022-03-14T13:35:34Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Conte wants to reunite with Stefan de Vrij

**Tottenham Hotspur are seriously considering a move for Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.**

### The Lowdown: Previous relationship

Antonio Conte is understood to be keen on the idea of a reunion with his former Inter centre-half, with the north London club hoping that the Italian’s presence can lure the defender to Hotspur Way.

De Vrij is a known fan of the Spurs boss, having labelled him a [“born winner”](https://sempreinter.com/2020/08/10/inter-defender-stefan-de-vrij-contes-a-born-winner-hates-to-lose-i-think-ill-do-better-in-coming-seasons/) during the 52-year-old’s stint at the Milan club, where the pair won the Serie A title in 2021.

The 30-year-old is [out of contract next summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/profil/spieler/111196), so it is easy to see why Fabio Paratici would be interested in securing the Dutchman’s signature, either with a reduced premium or on a free transfer when the opportunity arises.

### The Latest: Jones’ claim on De Vrij…

Despite this, with a current market valuation of [£40.5m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/marktwertverlauf/spieler/111196), it seems unlikely that the Netherlands international will be available on a free transfer, as Inter will surely look to make their money back on the [£36m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/profil/spieler/111196) that they paid for him in 2018. As a result, Jones believes that Paratici will be working on a deal in the next few months.

Speaking with [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/87982614-tottenham-paratici-tipped-to-seriously-look-at-40-5m-top-defender-for-spurs), the journalist claimed: *“I think right now, looking to the next 18 months, two years, they’ll be seriously looking at de Vrij. He’s still got all the traits to be a top defender in the Premier League.”*

### The Verdict: Would be a strong addition

De Vrij has been hailed by former team-mates as a [“monster”](https://football-italia.net/mauricio-de-vrij-is-a-monster/) at the back who [“also has excellent technique”](https://football-italia.net/mauricio-de-vrij-is-a-monster/) to compliment his dominant traits, exemplified by his ranking in the 98% percentile for pass completion rate over the past year (via [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/d0d8dd44/Stefan-de-Vrij)).

Conte has clearly formed the same opinion of De Vrij, claiming that the defender is [“like Bonucci”](https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/conte-praises-de-vrij-as-like-bonucci-46459) in the qualities that he possesses and the important role that he plays as a defensive leader.

Therefore, with [limited options](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tottenham-hotspur/kadernachposition/verein/148) in the centre-back position at Tottenham, it would not be surprising to see Paratici go all-out in pursuit of the Dutchman over the summer.

***In other news: [Tottenham insider blown away by financial development in N17](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/spurs-season-ticket-prices-freeze-john-wenham/)***