La Liga champions Real Madrid are considering signing 30-year-old Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij in a Bosman move next summer.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, Stefan de Vrij has emerged on the radar of Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions view the 30-year-old centre-back as a possible replacement for Nacho. The Inter Milan defender is currently in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Stefan de Vrij has been one of the most dependable defenders in Serie A in the last eight years. The Dutchman’s first foray into Italian football came when he joined Lazio from Feyenoord after the 2014 FIFA World Cup. And he has stepped up considerably since moving to Inter Milan in July 2018.
The 30-year-old played a pivotal role when Inter won the Serie A title in the 2020/21 season. And the veteran centre-back has turned out 181 times for the Nerazzurri, chipping in with nine goals and seven assists. But Inter might lose de Vrij as a free agent next summer, with his contract expiring on June 30, 2023. Such a situation has captured the attention of Real Madrid.
The Merengues have signed a centre-back in the last three summer transfer windows. But Real Madrid might still delve into the market for a central defender next year amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Nacho. The Spanish veteran has stalled talks over a new contract.
With the player’s contract running out next summer, Real Madrid might have to scour the market for a replacement. Considering Nacho has been a dependable backup option for various managers, Los Blancos will need to be decisive while zeroing in on the target. Stefan de Vrij has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old has seen his performance levels wane to some extent. But de Vrij remains a reliable performer, especially considering he will likely be a backup option for Real Madrid. Apart from the Dutch centre-back, the reigning La Liga champions have other defenders, like Milan Skriniar, on their radar.
Meanwhile, de Vrij has several suitors in the Premier League, including Tottenham Hotspur. For now, the 30-year-old remains focused on performing well for the Netherlands at the World Cup. It will be interesting to see if he initiates talks over a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid in January.
