Liverpool transfer target Stefan De Vrij has fueled further speculation regarding his Anfield move after rejecting a contract extension offered by Lazio.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Stefan de Vrij has been boosted by the player’s rejection of a contract extension at Lazio, according to the Birmingham Mail. The Reds have expressed their interest in the player following the Virgil van Dijk fiasco and will be looking to seal a deal for the player in the coming weeks.
With Champions League football to look forward to next season, the Reds will need a thicker squad to compete across all competitions with Jurgen Klopp looking to register his first piece of silverware at Liverpool.
De Vrij has stated that he isn’t willing to sign a new contract with the Italian club and has made his intentions clear of an exit. And why wouldn’t he, especially with Chelsea and Liverpool in the mix to acquire his signature.
The Dutchman has enjoyed three fruitful years at the club during which he has established himself as a defensive mainstay making 71 appearances for the Romans in all competitions. The defender’s only complaint from his time at the club would be a lack of silverware.
They have even failed to regularly establish their supremacy in their own city, let alone Italy, with Lazio constantly lying under the shadow of AS Roma for a while now.
Liverpool on the other hand are waging a battle to return to the glory days themselves and while they are some distance off it, the upcoming summer is a step in the right direction with Champions League football to prepare for.
However, the main issue that Klopp has to address is a lack of squad depth and an almost laughably abysmal defence. It was to sort out their frailties at the back that the German boss had sounded out Virgil van Dijk but an illegal approach meant Southampton lodged a complaint and forced the Reds to withdraw their interest from the player.
The Anfield giants will however hope there are no such stumbling blocks in their pursuit of de Vrij. Lazio have reportedly already rejected an earlier £17 million bid clarifying that the value the 24-year-old at £30 million at least.
Whether the Reds will be willing to cough out that amount for the player is left to be seen especially given that he doesn’t have experience in the Premier League, as against a van Dijk who’s a proven prospect in the English game.
Aside the Dutchman, Liverpool have also expressed interest in Burnley’s Michael Keane and Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson as they attempt to sort out their issues at the back.
