It’s that time of the year when rumours are becoming prominent reading, just like understanding the best online casino games. The summer transfer window will only get busier as the weeks pass by, as clubs look to strengthen ahead of the start of the new season. One club that could be set to make a huge signing is Aston Villa, who have been linked with a move for Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij.
De Vrij has been linked to several European clubs recently, including Newcastle United, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Villa. Newcastle had been rumoured to have put forward a bid of approximately £40 million for the player in January, but that bid was knocked back by the Serie A giants.
The Netherlands international is expected to be available this summer, as Inter looks to get some money for the defender, as his contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
High Profile Star
According to a rumour, if Aston Villa can convince Stefan de Vrij to leave Inter Milan, he may be their marquee signing.
In recent transfer windows, Aston Villa has demonstrated its ambition. They spent approximately £90 million to enhance their team last summer. However, Dean Smith was fired after not getting the best from his new recruits.
Steven Gerrard replaced him and assisted Villa in adding players in January. They acquired Lucas Digne from Premier League rivals Everton and Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona during the winter transfer window.
As a result of Gerrard’s actions, Villa managed to fight off relegation, and finish in the middle of the Premier League standings. However, the former Liverpool captain knows that they have a long way to go before reaching the European qualification.
Adding extra quality to the team this summer should prove beneficial. According to Football Insider, the Villa are looking at a number of options to improve the heart of their defence.
Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa typically played in this position together last term, while the back-ups were Calum Chambers and Kortney Hause.
It is reported that he is interested in De Vrij as it would add a ready-made replacement for either Mings or Konsa. However, the club may be cooling their interest after signing Diego Carlos from Sevilla earlier in the summer.
De Vrij would be a solid choice to play alongside their newest recruit, as he has been Inter’s rock over the past few years. In 2020-21, he helped them win Serie A, and last season he played a significant part of their efforts to keep the title.
The fact that he only has a year remaining on his contract ensures that he could be an astute signing for any side targeting a European spot in the Premier League next season.
Aston Villa to beat Tottenham and Manchester United to De Vrij?
The defender previously played for Feyenoord and Lazio, and has been a regular starter for the Netherlands national side; having played on 55 occasions. He was been crowned the best defender in Serie A for the 2019-20 season, while he also made the league’s team of the year for that season and the previous campaign.
Soon, De Vrij might get a chance to show what he can accomplish in front of Premier League fans. Villa will hope that they can give him that chance.
Tottenham has also reportedly interested in De Vrij. They want to bring in another defender, and Antonio Conte previously worked with him at Inter.
Manchester United is also reportedly in the market for a defender, and the Dutchman could be tempted to join his compatriot Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford for the forthcoming season. However, it is believed that a central defender doesn’t rank highly on United’s preferred targets this season.
