Liverpool picked up Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window but the club’s central defensive options still don’t seem among the best around and another signing in the summer would make some sense.
Step forward Stefan de Vrij, and his never ending contract situation with Lazio.
Liverpool have been linked since last Autumn, and in November we covered claims from Italy which detailed the Anfield interest but stated De Vrij had agreed to extend with Lazio, and would have a €25m release clause.
Liverpool were said to have made some sort of proposition in November, and whilst De Vrij had been considering his options, the renewal agreement was said to be on.
In December it was reported Liverpool had made an offer, that would have been to the player. With the Dutchman’s contract set to expire in June, he’d be available for free.
De Vrij’s agents are looking for a big commission on the renewal deal, and Lazio don’t want to pay it. The Italian club will probably be wondering why they should both give a low release clause and pay a big chunk to the player’s representatives.
Calciomercato go as far as to call the commission demands ‘monstrous’ and for now talks have stopped.
All this makes a transfer likelier, whether De Vrij finally renews or not. So for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool it’s a chance to get the player for €25m… or absolutely nothing*.
*The agents are probably going to want something ‘monstrous’ on any free transfer.
