Lazio like Dutch players.
After all, they already have Stefan De Vrij and Wesley Hoedt in their side, and they’ve been pretty happy with how they’ve fared so far.
With the former of the two expected to leave this summer to bigger and greener pastures, a bit of extra funding should be available to the Serie A side, who are also likely to wave goodbye to Lucas Biglia, their Argentinean defensive midfielder.
Needing to replace the 31-year-old, Lazio have turned their attention to a handful of Dutch players, including Chelsea’s Marco van Ginkel.
The 24-year-old, who was bought from Vitesse for £8m back in 2013, has only made four appearances for the Blues, spending most of his time out on loan with AC Milan, Stoke or PSV Eindhoven (twice).
Scoring seven goals and picking up four assists in 15 appearances during the second half of the season, van Ginkel has impressed back in Holland, hence why he’s caught the eye of Lazio.
Capable of playing either as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder, the Chelsea loanee would bring the Italians much versatility, more so than their other targets Marten de Roon and Jordy Clasie.
With a contract at Chelsea keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2019, we’ll have to see if Antonio Conte is willing to let the Dutch international go, but if the right offer comes along, they might be tempted to make a profit on a player they’ve barely used.
Something they seem to be very, very good at.
