Lazio prepare new deal for key defender

 

Lazio want to secure the long-term future of Stefan de Vrij and are prepared to offer the defender a new contract, reports Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia.

 

With Keita Balde expected to follow Lucas Biglia out the door this summer, Lazio want to stem the flow of those leaving the club.

 

Southampton are also sniffing around Wesley Hoedt and Simone Inzaghi’s side want to offer De Vrij a new deal in order to keep their star defender at the Olimpico.

 

De Vrij has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal and is happy to accept a renewal, but will reportedly push for a €15m (£13.4m) release clause.

 

Lazio prepare new deal for key defender

 

Lazio are willing to include a buy-out clause in his new contract but will want to set it much higher than De Vrij's demands given the current nature of the transfer window.

 

The 25-year-old missed almost all of the 2015/16 campaign because of a knee injury, but returned to full fitness last season and completed 27 league games.  

 

Since joining from Feyenoord in 2014, only three Lazio players have garnered a higher WhoScored rating than De Vrij (7.21) in the league.