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Reported Manchester United target Stefan De Vrij is prepared to sign a contract extension to stay at Lazio beyond the summer, according to talkSport. De Vrij was heavily linked with Manchester United while playing at Feyenoord but instead moved to Lazio after an impressive World Cup showing with Netherlands in 2014.
The rapid rise he has seen at Lazio fueled the rumours that he might be on the move at the end of the season, but as of now, he remains an integral part of the Italian side. It has earlier been claimed by talkSport that Manchester United are leading the race for the Dutch defender, but now it looks like De Vrij may very well end up staying at Lazio, despite a strong interest from the English club.
A statistical comparison of De Vrij with the current Manchester United defenders provides an insight into what the Dutchman might have brought to Manchester United defence. The Netherlands International has made more interceptions and blocks than the Manchester United central defenders.
He also tends to be more effective on set pieces and can provide a totally different dimension to dead ball situations, which Manchester United lack in their defenders. He has managed to win 61% of his aerial duels, further highlighting his ability in the air, which is a really important feature in English football.
Even after all of this, he may find his first team opportunity hard to come by at the Theatre of Dreams. The reason being; the brilliant form of the current crop of Manchester United.
Both Jones and Rojo have performed brilliantly in the absence of Eric Bailly and United also have Smalling and Daley Blind as cover. Further, the young Axel Tuanzebe recently marked his first team debut and is rated highly by Jose Mourinho, and hence chasing de Vrij does not really make sense.
Also, Manchester United have been rumoured to be in negotiations with Benfica’s Victor Lindelof, who at 22 years of age, seems more promising than Stefan De Vrij.
The transfer of Lindelof promises to be a shrewd one than that of the Dutch defender’s, but the final call can only be made by Jose Mourinho.
