Newcastle quoted £17m for 'one of the best defenders in the world'

Newcastle United have been linked with Stefan de Vrij in recent weeks.

The Magpies are currently in dire straits regarding on-the-pitch matters, but financially they’re in a great position.

Newcastle are not only still second-from-bottom in the Premier League table, but have mounting injury worries.

However, their recent takeover means they’ll have a sizeable war chest going into the January transfer window.

Newcastle are in desperate need of an injection of quality in pretty much every position.

And De Vrij, a player once described as “one of the best defenders in the world”, would certainly fit the bill.

On Monday, FC Inter News claimed Newcastle had opened talks with Mino Raiola over the 29-year-old.

As well as the Magpies, Tottenham and Barcelona are apparently also pursuing De Vrij.

The Netherlands international’s contract expires in 2023 and he’s yet to pen fresh terms.

Now, Calciomercato has reported that, at the end of the season, Inter would consider any bids for “not under €20m” (around £17m).

They would invest that money in moving for Torino’s Gleison Bremer, added the report.

“Clearly superior to De Ligt”

Given Inter snapped De Vrij up on a free transfer, they’d be making a profit no matter what.

At the same time, £17m would be an absolute bargain.

De Vrij is a defender of the highest calibre, boasting over 400 appearances for Inter, Lazio and Feyenoord.

He also won the Serie A title last season and has won over half a century of caps for the Netherlands.

In April, Dutch pundit and former player Willem van Hanegem sung De Vrij’s praises in Algemeen Dagblad.

“De Vrij is simply the best defender in Serie A,” he wrote (translated on Football Italia).

“I have found him to be clearly superior to De Ligt for a long time.

“De Vrij is going to take the Serie A title, but here people just want to talk about Virgil van Dijk.

“De Vrij really has become one of the best defenders in the world. It just seems that many people don’t want to see it.”