During the summer transfer window, a number of defenders were linked with a move to Chelsea, with one of them being Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij.
However, according to a latest report on Italian website Corriere dello Sport, Lazio have offered De Vrij a new contract that could keep him at the Rome club until 2021.
It’s been reported that Lazio have offered the 24-year-old a contract which would include a release clause of €35m, only applicable to clubs outside of Italy.
Several clubs in Italy and Europe reportedly want to sign De Vrij, for whom Chelsea made a €35m offer in the ‘last hour’ of the transfer window.
CDS say Lazio have rejected several offers for De Vrij in the past year, and now it remains to be seen if he’s willing to extend his contract at the Serie A club.
It may not be simply a coincidence that Chelsea’s offer, which Corriere dello Sport say was made at the end of the market, was €35m and the release clause would be €35m.
The clause insertion, given the matching amounts, looks like it’s to demonstrate to De Vrij he won’t be held back from a move should Chelsea bid the same again, or another club match the offer.
