Arsenal could reportedly land Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij in a player-plus-cash deal for Brazilian star Gabriel this summer – a player Tottenham boss Antonio Conte once compared to Juventus icon Leonardo Bonucci.
Gabriel has been a mainstay of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side over the last two seasons, but reports now claim that his form has attracted interest. Inter Milan want to sign the uncapped Brazilian, in a player-plus-cash deal.
The report says Gabriel is rated in the region of £30million and £34million – but with Inter looking to cut their spending, a player could be included to bring the price down. That player is Netherlands defender de Vrij.
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The experienced 30-year-old has been brilliant for Inter since joining in 2018, and was crucial to his side’s League and Cup double under Conte in 2020-21. Conte compared de Vrij to Bonucci, back in 2019.
“Stefan [de Vrij], like Bonucci, becomes an important player because they must inevitably leave him room. Stefan is doing well. My defenders must be the first to rely on,” Conte said three years ago, as per CalcioMercato.
Arsenal could land de Vrij: Conte compared to Bonucci
Arsenal have a solid centre-back base in Ben White and Gabriel, with Rob Holding as cover. Pablo Mari has returned from a loan at Udinese – where he impressed. Takehiro Tomiyasu can also play in the middle.
But if the Gunners are to lose Gabriel – despite reports of him being happy at Arsenal – then they could do a lot worse than bringing in de Vrij. One criticism of Arsenal’s defence last season was a lack of experience.
De Vrij would bring enormous experience, organisation and leadership to a defensive line that does lack captain material. With 436 club appearances and 57 Dutch caps to his name, he is incredibly experienced and still only 30.
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