As per a report from the Express, Premier League giants Manchester United have set their sights on Lazio defender Stefan De Vrij.
Highly-regarded
De Vrij, a 26-year-old central defender, has established himself as one of Serie A’s finest stoppers over the last couple of seasons, following his arrival in Rome from Feyenoord in 2014.
The no-nonsense Dutch international has proven absolutely vital in the impressive campaign enjoyed by Simone Inzaghi’s Biancocelesti to this point, having featured from the start in 22 of the club’s 23 league outings.
Exit links
However, much to the annoyance of the Lazio hierarchy, the club have not yet been able to tie De Vrij down to a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico, with the Feyenoord youth product’s current deal set to expire this summer.
As such, a number of Italy’s biggest clubs have set their sights on a move for the 31-time capped Oranje international, with Juventus and Inter Milan the sides most heavily linked.
Reports circulated in Italy last month that De Vrij had in fact agreed to join Inter on a free transfer in the summer, though such rumours seem wide of the mark.
Old Trafford bound?
However, as per the aforementioned report from the Express today, Serie A’s heavyweights may not have it all their own way in the chase of the Lazio star, with claims today that Manchester United have joined the race for De Vrij.
Red Devils’ boss Jose Mourinho is said to be a huge admirer of the talents of the gifted stopper, with the club ready to move for De Vrij in the case that he does run his Lazio contract down heading into the summer.
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