Tottenham working on free transfer for Serie A defender

With the World Cup taking centre stage in the football world for the duration of the month-long tournament, there has been little talk surrounding domestic football of late. 

The showpiece is well underway and a number of current Premier League stars have already been lighting up the tournament, but now it appears that another star could be on his way to the English top flight.

According to John Wenham via Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur have begun talks with Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij over a proposed move next summer.

The Netherlands international is currently in Qatar as part of Louis van Gaal’s squad, that currently sit top of Group A.

The 30-year-old’s current contract with Inter is set to expire next summer, and Spurs are believed to be in talks to persuade De Vrij to sign a pre-contract agreement.

From January, the player will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with any overseas club, and Spurs are looking to take advantage of this.

De Vrij’s Inter teammate, Milan Skriniar, is also in the final months of his contract, and the Slovakian has been linked with a number of clubs including some in the Premier League.

De Vrij has been impressive since signing for Inter in 2018

The pair were both regulars for Spurs boss Antonio Conte during his time in Italy, and it appears that Conte is now keen to reunite with De Vrij in London.

The Dutchman has made more than 180 appearances for Inter since signing for the club from Lazio in 2018.

He has played 16 time across all competitions so far this term, but his future at the Italian side has been in doubt for some time and it now appears that he may be on his way out of the club.

Spurs currently have Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Clement Lenglet and Christian Romero as their senior centre-backs, but De Vrij would add competition for places and would bring a wealth of experience if he were to make the move to London.

Conte signed a number of players over the summer, including Lenglet, but it appears that he will once again look to bolster his squad next summer.