Pranav Kannan
Transfer News: Aston Villa join Manchester United in pursuit of Stefan de Vrij
According to Sportitalia (h/t Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa are set to join Manchester United in the pursuit of talented Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij.
de Vrij joined Inter from Lazio in 2018 and has since then gone on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A over this period. He has been a crucial cog in the Nerazzurri vehicle under a number of managers.
This season has been no different as the Dutch defender played a key role in Simone Inzaghi’s side as they looked to over AC Milan to the Scudetto in vain. The 30-year-old centre-back played 41 games for the Serie A giants scoring one goal and providing one assist across all competitions.
Man United have been credited with an interest in the talented defender for quite some while now but it has now emerged that Aston Villa have joined the race for the Dutchman.
Bargain buy?
With a contract that expires in 2023 and at 30 years of age, it is safe to assume that we will be able to land de Vrij at a bargain price if we indeed want him.
The Dutch defender still has a lot to offer to any club that he goes to and 30 is not too old for a centre-back especially, and we can sign him up without an iota of doubt. He would work great in a pairing with Raphael Varane.
United have one world-class centre-back in Varane but the other options do not inspire much confidence. Harry Maguire has been disappointing to say the least and Victor Lindelof is extremely inconsistent.
Signing someone like de Vrij who has the pedigree of having played in one of the best defensive teams in the world would do United the world of good. ten Hag will be confident of getting the best out of his compatriot here at Old Trafford.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United confident about Alejandro Garnacho contract extension amidst Juventus interest
- Transfer News: Manchester United in pole position to sign Real Madrid star Marco Asensio
- Manchester United in a transfer battle with Newcastle United for Brighton star Leandro Trossard
Stefan de Vrij to Manchester United seems to make a lot of sense on so many scales. We must try and get it done before Aston Villa can mount a serious challenge.
