According to a report in Sport Mediaset (03/01/23 as relayed by FC Inter News and SportWitness), Inter Milan have offered a new contract to Stefan de Vrij amidst Tottenham’s interest in the centre-back.
Football.London’s Alasdair Gold revealed last week that Spurs are not prioritising signing a centre-back during January, with the journalist suggesting that the North London club are only likely to pursue reinforcements in central defence next summer.
However, Antonio Conte’s men have been linked with a whole host of centre-backs over the last couple of months, with De Vrij being one of the most frequently reported names (Football Insider).
The Dutchman’s current deal at the San Siro runs out next summer (Transfermarkt) and some publications have suggested recently that Spurs and Atletico Madrid are leading the race to snap up the 30-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season (Fichajes).
Inter Live even claimed a couple of days ago that the Lilywhites could look to complete a double deal for De Vrij and his Inter teammate Denzel Dumfries this month.
Sport Mediaset have now stated that the Netherlands international is being ‘courted’ at present by both Tottenham and Feyenoord.
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The report states that the Nerazzurri have now offered De Vrij a new contract worth €4m (£3.5m) per season and are awaiting a response from the defender.
The publication suggests that Simone Inzaghi’s side want to ‘protect themselves’ in case the former Lazio man leaves and have thus already contacted Roma’s Chris Smalling about a move to the San Siro.
Spurs Web Opinion
My sense of the situation is that De Vrij is looking to run his contract down and leave Inter on a free transfer next summer. So, it is unlikely that the centre-back will accept the Serie A club’s contract offer.
While the defender is not a typical Spurs signing since he is on the wrong side of 30, the North London club be tempted to move for him next summer if he is available for free, as we saw with Ivan Perisic last summer.
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