Inter Milan expect Stefan de Vrij will confirm his stance on leaving San Siro in the next nine days. The defender is considering his future amid transfer interest from Newcastle United.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Inter Milan are still hopeful of convincing De Vrij to stay. He is out of contract with the Serie A side this summer and is exploring new challenges. But the Nerazzurri have also offered to extend the 30-year-old’s existing terms.
De Vrij has been an Inter Milan player since July 2018 when he joined as a free agent on a five-year contract. The Dutchman had allowed his terms at Lazio to expire before switching sides within the Italian top-flight. Yet he now looks positively on starting a fresh adventure.
A chance to test himself in new surroundings appeals greatly to De Vrij, who would prefer to join a Premier League side if he leaves this summer. Inter Milan also respect that a new deal would not only be an important one for him but it comes at an important stage of his career.
Yet sporting director Piero Ausilio and chairman Giuseppe Marotta feel time is running out for a decision. So, they expect to learn within the next nine days if De Vrij will stay put and extend his £117k-a-week deal, or if the 59-cap defender will explore a new career abroad.
Newcastle made De Vrij an offer to quit Inter Milan in the January transfer window
De Vrij has not delayed a decision on his future at Inter Milan owing to the financial terms on offer. He wants to decide his next step based on the sporting merits having fallen down Simone Inzaghi’s pecking order. He has only played 12 of their 21 Serie A fixtures this term.
With a contract expiring in 2023, Premier League teams have also explored his situation in recent months. L’Interista notes Newcastle spoke with De Vrij’s agent, Federico Pastorello, on a January transfer. CalcioMercatoWeb has also cited interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Newcastle proved the most willing to secure De Vrij’s transfer from Inter Milan in the mid-season sales, though. DAZN reporter Orazio Accomando noted late in the market that the Toon had tabled an important offer. AC Milan also showed an interest but De Vrij said no.
De Vrij was unwilling to join AC Milan owing to his respect for Inter Milan. Yet Newcastle could now provide the defender with his chance to taste the Premier League next season. And Eddie Howe may not need to wait too much longer to learn if the defender will join.
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