---
title: "Tottenham: Antonio Conte holds behind-the-scenes talks with Stefan de Vrij"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/spurs-stefan-de-vrij-inter-milan-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-11-12T20:15:44Z"
modified: "2022-11-12T20:15:44Z"
---

# Tottenham: Antonio Conte holds behind-the-scenes talks with Stefan de Vrij

**[Tottenham Hotspur](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-news/) manager Antonio Conte has held talks with Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij regarding a move to north London in January, according to reports.**

### The Lowdown: Reinforcements wanted

The [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) giants are entering the winter market on the hunt for a new centre-back to provide an upgrade on their existing options, with the 30-year-old identified as a primary target.

The Dutchman is into the final [12 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/inter-mailand/vertragsende/verein/46) of his contract at the San Siro, and with the Nerazzurri [in need of cash](https://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-de-vrij-sources/#:~:text=Inter%20are%20strapped%20for%20cash), he could be available on a cut-price deal in the New Year.

### The Latest: Conte holds De Vrij talks

According to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/tottenham-de-vrij-sources/), Tottenham are ‘keen on signing’ De Vrij, with Conte having already ‘spoken to the player’ about a move to Spurs in 2023.

The 6 foot 2 colossus ‘fits the bill’ of the Lilywhites, with the 53-year-old a ‘huge admirer’ of the defender after working alongside him during his time at Inter.

The Netherlands international – who is in the [Oranje squad](https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/oranje/nederlands-elftal/66991/van-gaal-maakt-26-koppige-wk-selectie-bekend) for the upcoming [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/) – has ‘been told’ that he will be offered a new contract, although a deal is yet to have been tabled, with Spurs’ recent poor form pushing the manager to make a move ‘behind the scenes’.

[Tottenham latest news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/)

### The Verdict: Get it done…

De Vrij was an integral member of Conte’s squad which won the Serie A title in 2020/21, and with his former boss [stating](https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/conte-praises-de-vrij-as-like-bonucci-46459) that the Dutchman was ‘like Bonucci’, this existing connection could give Spurs an advantage in the race for his signature.

Considering Leonardo Bonucci’s status as a [European champion and nine-time Serie A](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leonardo-bonucci/erfolge/spieler/39983) winner who has [been regarded as](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/11-best-defenders-world#:fQdWjz-BNEBWPA) one of the world’s top defenders, that is no mean praise from Conte.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410805″\]

This season, De Vrij is averaging 2.9 successful aerial duels, 2.7 clearances and 2.1 interceptions per league game ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/82399/Show/Stefan-de-Vrij)). Those returns would see him rank highly in [Spurs’ squad](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham) for each metric.

De Vrij also has [16](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/111196) goal contributions to his name at Inter, showing that he can offer a strong presence at both ends of the pitch, making him a no-brainer of a player for Fabio Paratici to try and recruit for Tottenham.