Stefan de Vrij is not interested in swapping Inter Milan for Newcastle United despite the potential of a £110,000-a-week contract at St James’ Park, as reported by FC Inter News.
It may surprise you to learn that an established Dutch international who played a major role in last season’s Scudetto triumph – Inter’s first league title since the Jose Mourinho heyday – earns just £70,000-a-week at the San Siro.
For context, that’s the same amount Jonjo Shelvey takes home at St James’ Park, per Spotrac. And less than Joelinton.
Money isn’t everything though. And De Vrij wouldn’t swap his Serie A winners’ medal even for a briefcase brimming with banknotes.
According to FC Inter News, Newcastle are willing to spend £22 million on the former Lazio and Feyenoord ace. Bankrolled by ambitious Saudi Arabian billionaires, Newcastle are also prepared to double De Vrij’s wages, offering him £110,000-a-week after tax.
But how does De Vrij feel about swapping the Italian champions for a side still just one place above the relegation zone, despite their best run of form since the Rafa Benitez’s days.
Well, allow FC Inter News to explain…
“Despite the prospect of earning more than double (his money), the Magpies is not a destination that piques his interest, to put it mildly.”
Is Stefan de Vrij going to reject Newcastle United?
The 30-year-old stopper, one of the most elegant and intelligent central defenders in the game, will become a free-agent in the summer of 2023. And while his priority is to stay put, Inter Milan are yet to open talks over an extension.
If De Vrij is forced out the door, a reunion with Conte would hardly be the world’s worst consolation prize.
FC Inter News claim that Borussia Dortmund were also keen on De Vrij. The German giants have backed out of the race after signing Niklas Sule from Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich instead however.
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