MANCHESTER UNITED face unexpected competition in the race to sign defender Stefan De Vrij with Southampton expressing an interest in the young Dutchman.
Southampton are rivalling Manchester United for the signing of Stefan De Vrij[GETTY]
Saints' new Dutch manager Ronald Koeman is keen to swiftly replace Liverpool-bound defender Dejan Lovren and, according to reports, De Vrij is on his shortlist.
The 22-year-old has just a year left on his Feyenoord contract and could be signed for a fee as low as £7m.
Italian side Lazio were confident of signing De Vrij before the World Cup and believed they had a deal agreed with the defender.
But he was one of the Netherlands' star performers sparking Louis van Gaal's interest in taking him to Manchester.
Feyenoord sporting director Martin Van Geel announced at the weekend that a bid made by Lazio - thought to be in the region of £5m - failed to meet their valuation for De Vrij.
He told RTV Rijnmond: "It is logical for the player to leave, but it has to be for the right club and the right price.
"I am happy we did not accept Lazio's offer, as it was too low. After that, no other proposal has been received."
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently confirmed that the club would hand Louis van Gaal a blank cheque this summer but the guarantee of first-team football at Southampton could sway De Vrij.
Koeman is also reported to be interested in another rumoured United target Ron Vlaar.
No comments:
Post a Comment