OFFICIAL: Manchester United and Liverpool on high alert after defender confirms departure in summer

Serie A side Lazio have confirmed that their Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij will be leaving this summer – thus opening up a possible move to the Premier League in 2018. De Vrij has been one of the best defenders in the league since his arrival from Feyenoord in 2014 and will have no shortage of suitors in the summer.

One of the favourites in the rumour mill, the defender has long been linked with a move to England with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea said to be interested in acquring his services.

The side from Rome has been trying to tie up 26-year-old to a long term contract. However, after having failed in negotiations, Lazio have withdrawn their offer – allowing the Dutchman to leave on a free in the coming summer.

“Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij,” director of sport Igli Tare told Italian outlet Mediaset Premium.

“We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. 

“It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.

“He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that as well as what he’ll do until the end of the season.

“He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.

“It’s a matter of fairness. This is not the opportune time to give the reasons for this decision, but we had to give a response and we gave it this evening.

“It is better to look forward, as Lazio are a side who have grown in recent years and will continue to grow, because we certainly do not lack players.”

Both Liverpool as well as Manchester United have failed to find a steady partnership at the back and De Vrij can truly add to value to both sides. With serious movements expected at both camps in the summer regarding their backline, it will surely be interesting to see where De Vrij ends up.