Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been gifted a boost in the race to sign in Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, with the Serie A title chasers already lining up a replacement.
The Lowdown: De Vrij bid incoming
Just last month, it was claimed that Antonio Conte requested that the Lilywhites try to sign the centre-back this summer, with further reports since emerging which state that the 30-year-old is ‘liked’ by the north London club.
The defender has just over a year remaining on his current contract with the Serie A giants, meaning that his future needs to soon be decided, and it seems like that now might be the case, with Spurs said to be ‘serious’ about a bid this summer.
Indeed, according to journalist Stefano Benzi (via Sport Witness), there is ‘very serious interest’ in de Vrij from Tottenham, with the club ‘willing to spend’ an ‘important figure’ of €40m (£34m) to sign the 55-cap international at the end of the season.
The Latest: Inter already lining up replacement
Benzi claimed the Inter star would be allowed to leave as long as there is a ‘convincing proposal’ on the table, and another Italian journalist, Fabrizio Biasin, has gone one step further.
Speaking during a Calciomercato Twitch stream, translated by Sempre Inter, he says the Nerazzurri actually already have their replacement lined up, claiming they will get a ‘significant capital gain‘ from the sale of de Vrij and ‘Inter’s plan‘ is to cash in and sign Torino’s Gleison Bremer.
The Verdict: Short-term option
Being 30 years of age, the £31.5m-rated talent is hardly an ideal long-term option, especially given the asking price, but if Conte and Paratici are looking for someone just with the next couple of seasons in mind, then de Vrij could be the suitable short-term answer.
The Dutchman has made 26 league outings so far this season and is currently averaging 1.2 tackles and 1.8 clearances per 90 minutes, showing his experience at the back where he is virtually a guaranteed starter in Simone Inzaghi’s side.
Dubbed as “one of the best CBs in the world” by BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan while thriving for Conte’s title-winning Inter team last year, if Spurs are able to somehow bring the £34m fee down, then he could prove to be a very clever signing and one that helps to guide the Premier League giants towards securing a Champions League spot next season.
In other news, Conte has been hit with a HUGE injury blow…
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