---
title: "Newcastle United: Magpies close to Stefan de Vrij agreement"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-stefan-de-vrij-transfer-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-01-23T09:35:13Z"
modified: "2023-01-23T09:35:13Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Magpies close to Stefan de Vrij agreement

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) are close to striking an agreement with Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij, according to DAZN journalist Orazio Accomando.**

### The Lowdown: Newcastle’s De Vrij interest

Newcastle have been named as potential suitors for the Netherlands international since last May, as reported by [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-aston-villa-newcastle-devrij/), with the centre-back showing no signs of wanting to extend his deal at the San Siro beyond June 2023, when his current [contract expires](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/profil/spieler/111196).

It has been [documented](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-transfer-news-de-vrij-inter-milan/) that the Magpies were one of the clubs believed to be interested in signing the 30-year-old on a pre-contract agreement this month, with Tottenham Hotspur also named as potential suitors.

### The Latest: Accomando’s update

According to [Accomando](https://twitter.com/OAccomando91/status/1617125844635238400), who works for DAZN Italy, Newcastle are ‘close’ to an agreement for the Dutchman, having submitted an ‘important offer’ in recent days.

The journalist infers that [Eddie Howe](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/eddie-howe/)‘s side are leading the race ahead of Tottenham and AC Milan, who have also made their interest clear.

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### The Verdict: Make it happen

The Newcastle defence has been unbelievable this season, conceding just [11](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded) goals in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) (five fewer than any other team in the top flight), but Howe will want more strength in depth, and the 30-year-old has a proven track record of performing at the top level, making [27](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/111196) appearances in the Champions League.

Hailed as a ‘[monster](https://football-italia.net/mauricio-de-vrij-is-a-monster/)‘ by former Lazio team-mate Mauricio, the 6 foot 3 colossus ranks in the 85th percentile for interceptions per 90  in the past year among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues with [1.89](https://fbref.com/en/players/d0d8dd44/Stefan-de-Vrij), displaying his knack for being able to read the game and cut out opposition attacks.

De Vrij has also averaged more tackles and won more aerial duels than [Fabian Schar](https://fbref.com/en/players/c8aa95da/Fabian-Schar) and [Sven Botman](https://fbref.com/en/players/ccce7025/Sven-Botman) in the same timeframe, indicating that he could be a real upgrade to Howe’s already robust defence.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418867″\]