Long linked with Manchester United last season with a view to a move to Old Trafford in the summer, Stefan De Vrij ended up staying at Lazio.
When the links with the Red Devils dried up, however, new ones emerged, as Liverpool, unable to convince Southampton to sell them Virgil Van Dijk, turned their attention elsewhere.
However, as explained above, the Dutch defender never left the Serie A side, and with a contract running out at the end of this season, two things were going to happen: either he signed a new contract or he would leave on a free.
With Liverpool desperate to bolster their defence as Jürgen Klopp’s men struggle to keep clean sheets, the prospect of getting a centre-back of De Vrij’s caliber for nothing was very exciting.
Unfortunately for them, Il Tempo are here to ruin the party, announcing over the weekend the Lazio star would be signing a new contract in the coming days.
Despite this, all hope is not lost for the Reds, as, after a lot of insistence from the player’s representatives, the Italian club have agreed to include a rather low release clause (€25m) to allow him to leave the club easily should he wish to do so.
After all, it’s a win-kinda win situation for everyone, as De Vrij gets his move, and Lazio, who would have liked to get more money if possible, still get a sizeable amount for a player they could have seen leave for free at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool do return for another attempt next year, and a lot will probably depend on Southampton and Virgil Van Dijk, but the alternative is there for the taking, and for a reasonable sum, too.
