Tottenham Hotspur could be set for a big boost if the latest rumours about Stefan de Vrij are an indication he will join in the summer.
Indeed, according to a report in Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the defender is no longer ‘essential’ to Inter after being left out of a recent game against Juventus.
This could cause the player to leave in the summer, and with Spurs being linked with De Vrij heavily in the past, he may well end up in north London following these recent developments.
With that in mind, TIF has taken a look at what it could mean for Spurs:
Vertonghen replacement found
In the summer of 2020, Jan Vertonghen left Tottenham to play for Benfica – he had been at the club since 2012 (via Transfermarkt).
In four of his last five seasons with the club, he had helped them finish in the Champions League spots. The season after he left, they ended up dropping to seventh in the league. He was also part of the team that almost won European glory but fell at the last hurdle against Liverpool.
His talent is obvious and Spurs haven’t reached the same heights without the Belgian. But in De Vrij, they could have found a perfect replacement at last.
Indeed, the Dutch centre-back has proven quality having won Serie A as well as two Italian Super Cups. On top of that, he also has over 50 caps for his country.
Dutch pundit and former player Willem van Hanegem claimed last year that De Vrij is the ‘best defender in Serie A’ – if he’s right, he should have no problem helping Spurs reach the sort of consistency they showed with Vertonghen in the team.
Should Spurs sign De Vrij this summer?
Yes
No
Conte gets his man
Of course, that Serie A title that De Vrij claimed was won alongside the current Tottenham boss. Indeed, Antonio Conte was Inter manager during that season and he has spoken glowingly about the defender in the past.
While still Inter boss, Conte compared him to Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci, saying: “Stefan, like Bonucci, becomes an important player because they must inevitably leave him room. Stefan is doing well.”
On top of that, Italian media has claimed that De Vrij is someone the manager wants to sign to help develop his project at Spurs next season. Not long ago, transfer insider Dean Jones also told GiveMeSport that he thinks the club will be ‘seriously looking’ at the defender this summer.
All in all, it looks like this possible move could be a big boost for Spurs if they can get it sorted in the upcoming transfer market.
In other news: Ndombele replacement found, Conte buzzing: Big rumour emerges out of Spurs – opinion