£117k-a-week star ‘contender’ for transfer at Hotspur Way – GiveMeSport

Tottenham Hotspur are waiting to find out the availability of Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij, as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defence on Hotspur Way, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The centre-back will enter the final six months of his £117k-per-week contract at the San Siro in January and Daniel Levy would be granting Conte’s wish for a new centre-back, as reported by The Times last month.

Tottenham transfer news – Stefan de Vrij

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are currently the frontrunners in a bid to sign de Vrij in January, with Atlético Madrid also in the race for the Dutchman’s signature.

Both sides have enquired about his availability in the new year, with the defender looking increasingly likely to leave the Milanese club this season.

Journalist Paul Brown has previously told GiveMeSport that Tottenham were in pole position to sign the former Lazio star in the summer, but a deal never materialised with the 30-year-old remaining at the San Siro for the time being.

However, Jones has suggested that Spurs are now waiting on de Vrij’s availability, with Inter having offered the 59-time Netherlands international a new deal to remain in Serie A.

What has Jones said about Tottenham and de Vrij?

When asked about the potential of de Vrij being a centre-back target of Conte’s, Jones told GiveMeSport: “He’s a contender, we’d have to wait and see. Spurs are waiting really. Inter have offered him a new contract and at the same time, they’re being offered players of their own in case the player does leave.”

Would de Vrij be a good signing for Tottenham?

De Vrij will have been extremely disappointed to not have played one minute of football for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side at the World Cup this winter, despite having been selected for the squad and will be hoping to bounce back in the coming months.

The experienced centre-back has made 16 appearances for Inter so far this campaign, helping the side keep five clean sheets as well as chipping in with a goal of his own, according to Transfermarkt.

He is an exceptional passer of the ball, ranking in the top 13% of centre-backs across Europe’s big five leagues as well as the Champions League and Europa League for pass success rate per 90 minutes (89.6%) over the last 365 days, according to FBref.

Therefore, signing de Vrij either at a cut-price fee in January or on a pre-contract agreement ahead of next season would seem to be a sensible piece of business from Tottenham, with the Dutchman offering a wealth of experience as well as tactically seeming to fit into Conte’s back three/five system with his impressive ability on the ball.

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