Lazio pull new contract offer for Atlético target De Vrij
The Italian club's sporting director, Igli Tare, has confirmed that a new deal has been taken off the table due to the Dutch international's reticence.
Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has confirmed that Dutch international defender Srefan de Vrij will leave the Serie A club at the end of the season after rejecting a series of contract extension offers from the board. De Vrij’s contract expires in July and barring a volte face on the part of club and player, the 25-year-old will become a free agent in the summer.
“Stefan will not renew his contract,” Tare told Italian broadcaster Mediaset. Immediately afterwards, Lazio fans began to vent their fury on social media, with one scribe saying: “Signing for Lazio is a privilege, I feel sorry for you.”
Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi also addressed the subject in a press conference: “He is a great player and it’s a shame but he has made his decision and we have to take it into account.”
De Vrij in demand
News of De Vrij’s imminent availability will be of interest at the Metropolitano with Atlético holding a long-standing admiration for the Dutch international, who has made 255 senior club appearances for Feyenoord and Lazio and has 33 caps for his country.
However, Atlético will face stiff competition for De Vrij from the Premier League and Serie A, with La Gazzetta reporting that Inter have already drawn up an offer of a five-year deal on a salary of over four million euros a season. Chelsea, Barcelona and Zenit Saint Petersburg are among other clubs to have sounded out De Vrij.