Everton are reportedly keen on Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton director of football Steve Walsh wants to bring Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij to Goodison Park, offering a potential move to manager Sam Allardyce.
Everton splashed out for one new defender over the summer in Michael Keane, but the former Burnley man has yet to hit top form for the Toffees, and new manager Allardyce has gone with Mason Holgate and Ashley Williams as his first-choice centre back pairing.
With Williams and Phil Jagielka both now in their 30’s, Everton may be looking to bring in a proven centre back who can solidify Allardyce’s defence in the long-term too – and De Vrij would fit the bill.
The Lazio star, 25, is out of contract at the end of the season, and top centre backs like the Dutch international aren’t available for free very often, meaning a major battle for his signature may ensue in 2018.
De Vrij has excelled in Serie A even despite a major injury ruling him out for most of last season, and a potential move to Goodison Park could be somewhat ironic given his relationship with ex-Toffees boss Ronald Koeman.
Koeman handed De Vrij the Feyenoord captaincy at the of just 20 back in 2012, but – as reported by Four Four Two – he later stripped the defender of the captaincy after taking individual training session without the club’s permission, something which infuriated Koeman, and the pair went their separate ways in 2014.
Walsh is understood to be a huge fan of De Vrij, and can now seemingly press ahead with a potential move for the defender with Koeman no longer at the club, with the Dutchman possibly providing something of a barrier to the move.
With interest from a host of European clubs, De Vrij will be spoiled for choice in 2018 – and Everton will hope that they can seal an ambitious move by landing him on a free transfer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
