Liverpool target Stefan de Vrij is doing exactly to Lazio what Emre Can is doing to us: refusing to sign extended terms on their respective contracts, both of which expire next summer, unless a low release-clause is included.
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, translated by Sports Witness, the Dutchman will only put pen to paper if his new deal includes a €20-25m release-clause, while Lazio want the figure to be €40-45m, instead.
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However, just like with Liverpool and Can, Lazio don’t want to risk losing the centre-back on a free transfer – with foreign clubs able to freely approach de Vrij (as they are with Can) come January 1.
Both ourselves and Lazio would perhaps be sensible to give the players the release-clause they desire, as a slightly below par transfer fee is better than nothing.
Despite the report, we have doubts about whether Liverpool’s interest in de Vrij is strong, as if it was, we’d have made a bid over the summer when our pursuit of Virgil van Dijk was failing.
We do still want van Dijk, but will surely only be able to potentially attain the towering defender next summer, as can’t see Southampton budging over the winter, unfortunately.