Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij has now told San Siro chiefs that he plans on leaving in 2023. His stance will catch the interest of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports De Vrij does not only wish to leave Inter Milan but Italy. After nine seasons in Serie A, the 30-year-old feels now is the time to take on a new challenge. His agent, Federico Pastorello, is also looking for potential new teams.
- WORLD CUP: LIVERPOOL AND TOTTENHAM TARGET IS AMONG THE TOP 10 DEFENDERS
- WORLD CUP: TOTTENHAM DUO AND AN ARSENAL TARGET ARE IN THE TOP 10 STRIKERS
De Vrij first moved to Italy with Lazio in 2014 for his first adventure away from Feyenoord. He would spend four years in Rome before moving to Milan with Inter in a free transfer at the end of his contract. But the defender is now nearing the end of his five-year deal there.
Inter Milan offered De Vrij a new contract to keep him at San Siro until 2025 a month ago. But the centre-back has not accepted the Nerazzurri’s offer which would see him stay on a £117k-a-week salary. Inter Milan also understood his desire to embark on a new challenge.
Yet talks over a fresh deal could resume if Pastorello cannot find De Vrij an exciting project to join. It is not simply a case of seeking more money but the opportunity to try something fresh after 231 Serie A appearances. He also won the 2020/21 Italian top-flight with Inter.
Newcastle and Tottenham are among the clubs interested in Inter Milan star De Vrij
De Vrij won Serie A at Inter Milan in the season before last before Antonio Conte quit and later took charge of Tottenham. Now, the Italian is keeping tabs on the 59-cap defender’s situation at San Siro. CalcioMercatoWeb reports they have spoken about a move to Spurs.
If a switch to north London appeals to De Vrij, Tottenham are prepared to pay Inter Milan €4-5m (£3.5-4.5m) in January given his contract expires in June. But L’Interista reports that Newcastle are interested in the defender’s transfer and have also spoken with Pastorello.
Additionally, FC Inter News recently noted that Aston Villa have joined the race to sign De Vrij from Inter Milan. Unai Emery’s Villans and Leicester City approached Pastorello at the start of December to sound out his situation. Atletico Madrid in La Liga are also interested.
Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Leicester or Atletico Madrid could offer De Vrij the new challenge the Inter Milan star seeks away from Italy. The first two sides are also competing at the top of the Premier League this season, while Atleti are among the top Spanish sides.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
