Liverpool are set to be handed a huge boost in pursuit of Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij after it was revealed that the defender won’t sign a new contract and will leave the Italian club in the summer. According to recent reports, the Dutch centre-back is ready to quit Lazio in search of fresh adventures with the Reds ready to pounce on his signature ahead of the new campaign. The Netherlands international has been touted to make a switch to Anfield in recent years and it seems that the Merseyside outfit will now have a good chance of landing him this summer after Lazio’s sporting director Igli Tare revealed that De Vrij will part ways with the club at the end of the campaign.
The Reds have already secured the services of Virgil van Dijk, who is a compatriot of De Vrij, in the January transfer window as they looked to resolve their defensive woes this season. However, with reports emerging that the Lazio centre-back will be available for a move in the summer, Jurgen Klopp’s side could be tempted to make a swoop for his signature. De Vrij has been an integral player in Simone Inzaghi’s squad this term and has impressed with his performances over the last few years. He can be considered as one of the best defenders in the Serie A and will definitely alert a lot of clubs due to his availability in the summer transfer window.
The Reds could face stiff competition from rivals Manchester United and Manchester City in pursuit of the Dutchman’s signature.
The Reds are currently sitting in 3rd place in the Premier League table after securing a comfortable 2-0 victory away at Southampton in the last gameweek. The Merseyside club find themselves just above Chelsea, who are in fifth place with a point separating the two teams at the moment.
However, the Reds are a massive 18 points behind league leaders Manchester City. The potential addition of De Vrij will undoubtedly bolster Jurgen Klopp’s defensive options going into the new campaign and could help them bridge the gap between themselves and Manchester City in the coming years.
At 26, the Dutchman still has his peak years ahead of him which the Reds could look to utilise in the near future. He has featured in 29 matches for Lazio this season and has scored four goals in all competitions. De Vrij has a knack for scoring goals which makes him an ideal asset for Jurgen Klopp to consider. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Netherlands international and whether he ends up making a move to Anfield next summer.
