Chelsea join pursuit of Dutch international as contract talks break down

Chelsea, Tottenham and Juventus are closely monitoring Lazio centre back Stefan de Vrij, according to Tuttomercatoweb, after it was reported that the Dutch international has failed to agree a new contract with the Serie A side.

The 25 year old’s contract currently expires next summer, and it seems that negotiations between the defender and Lazio president Claudio Lotito have reached an impasse.

Although it seems unlikely he will be sold during this transfer window, he can freely talk to clubs in January about making a free transfer next summer when his contract expires.

De Vrij has spent three years at Lazio after joining from Feyenoord for £6m in 2014. He missed almost the entire of the 2015/16 season with a knee injury but returned to full fitness last campaign.

He made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Italian side last season, although it must be said he missed a month with a broken metatarsal. Whether his proneness to injury will put off Chelsea, we will have to wait and see.