Report: Tottenham are ahead of Atletico Madrid in race for Serie A star
Fichajes have claimed that Atletico Madrid’s efforts to snap up Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij may be thwarted by Tottenham Hotspur.
Over recent weeks, multiple publications have named Spurs as one of the favourites to sign De Vrij, whose contract at the San Siro runs out next summer.
Football Insider reported at the start of December that Tottenham and Atletico were vying for the 30-year-old’s signature ahead of January. The report added that Antonio Conte had already spoken to the player about a move to North London.
Spurs’ interest in De Vrij was also backed up by TuttoMercatoWeb, who stated on December 13 that while Inter had offered the Netherlands international a new deal, the former Lazio man was ‘lukewarm’ about the offer.
Fichajes have also backed up the interest of both Spurs and Atletico in De Vrij and explained that the Lilywhites are currently leading the race for the centre-back.
The publication reveals that Inter are open to selling the centre-back since his current contract runs out at the end of the season and that Atletico have identified the Dutchman as the player to bolster their backline.
It is alleged that Diego Simeone views De Vrij as his ‘absolute priority’ but the Colchoneros have to contend with competition from Tottenham, with the former Lazio man being described as one of Conte’s ‘great obsessions’.
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While De Vrij would fit the bill for what Spurs need next month, it is worth pointing out that the centre-backs agent, Federico Pastorello, said recently that a final decision will only be made around February or March (TMW).
That suggests that the Dutchman is potentially planning on leaving on a free transfer next summer if Inter do not meet his salary demands. De Vrij would be a very Conte-type signing but the Spurs hierarchy might prefer a younger option instead.
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