Acquiring Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia after an incredibly drawn out saga over the summer, Arsenal might not be done with signing centre-backs after all.
That is, at least, according to Il Tempo, who reckon Arsenal might return to one of their old targets in Lazio’s Stefan De Vrij.
The Dutch defender has been linked with the Gunners in the past, and with a contract currently running out in 2018, things could get interesting in the near future.
Lazio are desperate to avoid this, and want to extend his current deal, as well as placing a €35m release clause in there to guarantee them some money in case of a departure, but no discussions have taken place with the player’s representatives as of yet.
De Vrij was a late Chelsea target this summer, according to multiple Italian reports at the time, and a move for the 24-year-old could still be on the cards if the opportunity presents itself.
In fact, Il Tempo report the Premier League has already ‘knocked at the Dutch defender’s door’, suggesting both clubs mentioned previously in their article have already made some kind of contact either with him or his representatives to see if he would be interested.
Talk of Lazio’s desire to renew have been recurring in the Italian media for quite some time, but with negotiations still to take place, one can only guess that the player’s representatives are waiting to see what happens in January or next summer before committing to the Serie A club.
Chelsea will undoubtedly be linked repeatedly with De Vrij, and on Tuesday Corriere dello Sport reported that they’d already made a €35m offer toward the end of the transfer window. That’s more than £30m at today’s exchange rates, and Chelsea are determined to back manager Antonio Conte.
Arsenal interest isn’t something mentioned often in Italy, and perhaps their name was thrown in to make things more exciting. If Arsene Wenger does decide to add to his options, then he may be interested to know that Lazio are prepared to put a release clause in the Dutchman’s deal at €35m, coincidentally what Chelsea offered.
