Report: Tottenham, Newcastle and Barcelona open talks to sign Dutch ace

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Italian outlet FC Inter News claim that Tottenham, Newcastle and Barcelona have all opened talks to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij. The Netherlands international is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract.

De Vrij, 29, has been a stalwart in the Inter side over the last three-and-a-half seasons – clocking up 142 appearances. He was pivotal under Antonio Conte, helping Inter win Serie A with the new Tottenham boss in charge last term.

He has remained first choice under Simone Inzaghi – missing just five league games, four of which were due to injury. The 55-time Netherlands ace, though, finds himself in a precarious position regarding his future.

Inzaghi is keen to keep him, but de Vrij is already attracting interest. A client of Mino Raiola, de Vrij has become the subject of enquiries from Tottenham, Newcastle and Barcelona. Conte compared de Vrij to Leonardo Bonucci in 2019.

“Stefan [de Vrij], like Bonucci, becomes an important player because they must inevitably leave him room. Stefan is doing well. My defenders must be the first to rely on,” Conte said two years ago, as per CalcioMercato.

Tottenham, Newcastle and Barcelona eye de Vrij: Which is best?

Right now, Newcastle will not prove to be a potential avenue for de Vrij. Even if he is offered enormous wages, the Netherlands star will be looking at the club’s position in the Premier League. It will surely put him off.

Tottenham have options when it comes to right-footed defenders. Eric Dier has been excellent, Cristian Romero is first choice to Dier’s right – but is injured. Davinson Sanchez, Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez are other options.

But Sanchez and Rodon could go in January. So, de Vrij could come but might not start – indeed, de Vrij’s best move could be to join Barcelona. Whether Barcelona have the necessary financial power to get him, remains to be seen.