---
title: "Tottenham: Conte makes specific De Vrij request"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-conte-makes-specific-de-vrij-request/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-12-25T12:35:16Z"
modified: "2021-12-25T12:35:16Z"
---

# Tottenham: Conte makes specific De Vrij request

**Antonio Conte has urged Tottenham chiefs to sign centre-back Stefan De Vrij in January, according to journalist Paolo Paganini, relayed by [Sports Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/antonio-conte-makes-specific-request-manager-asks-tottenham-make-signing-effort/).**

### The Lowdown: De Vrij keen on move

[Reports](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-de-vrij-tells-friends-latest-on-tottenham-move-with-january-a-possibility/) last month suggested that the Inter Milan defender is aware of interest from Spurs and has asked English friends for more information on Tottenham and what London life is like.

[Spurs latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-updates-5/)

[Sources](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-de-vrij-tells-friends-latest-on-tottenham-move-with-january-a-possibility/) claimed that the 29-year-old, labelled as a [‘monster’](https://football-italia.net/mauricio-de-vrij-is-a-monster/) by former Lazio defender Mauricio, is keen on a move to N17.

He worked under Conte at Inter Milan and was an [ever-present](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/111196/plus/0?saison=&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=3517) figure in the 2020/21 Serie A triumph, and it seems as if a reunion could well be on the cards.

### The Latest: Update emerges

[Sports Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/antonio-conte-makes-specific-request-manager-asks-tottenham-make-signing-effort/) relayed claims from journalist Paganini in a story on Thursday.

Paganini revealed that Inter Milan aren’t prioritising extending De Vrij’s contract at this moment in time, with the Dutch international having [18 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stefan-de-vrij/profil/spieler/111196) remaining on his deal.

He then added that an exit could be on the cards, with Conte making a ‘specific request’ for his services.

### The Verdict: Smart move

Conte has just [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tottenham-hotspur/kader/verein/148) senior centre-backs on the books at this moment in time, with Joe Rodon [linked](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2021/12/21/transfer-notebook-newcastle-leading-race-sign-spurs-centre-back/?utm_content=football&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1640095721) with a January exit in recent days.

Should that materialise, then Conte could definitely do with bringing another body in, especially as he likes to use [three](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tottenham-hotspur/spielplan/verein/148) central defenders. Left-back [Ben Davies](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-davies/leistungsdaten/spieler/192765) has been used as one of those three on a regular basis since Conte arrived, so bringing in an experienced defender like De Vrij could be a smart move.

He’s been dribbled past on just [0.2](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/82399/Show/Stefan-de-Vrij) occasions per 90 in Serie A this season, fewer than any [Spurs centre-back](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham), showing that De Vrij would add some solidarity to Tottenham’s backline.

***In other news: [Conte now wants Spurs and Paratici to pip rivals in race for dream January signing.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/?p=383717&preview=true)***