Inter have set a deadline in contract extension talks with defender Stefan de Vrij for the end of February so that they do not miss out on Roma’s Chris Smalling as a replacement if the Dutchman declines their offer.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInter1908, who report that the Nerazzurri have identified Smalling as their priority option to replace de Vrij if he does not extend his deal, and so they want certainty on the situation soon.
Inter’s offer of a new two-year contract worth around €4 million to de Vrij has been on the table for some time, and the 30-year-old is still yet to decide on whether or not he wants to accept it or find a new club in the summer.
Should the former Lazio and Feyenoord defender reject Inter’s offer, the Nerazzurri have a plan to replace him like-for-like, namely signing Smalling.
Inter are closely following the Englishman’s situation at Roma, where he has yet to extend his contract.
The Nerazzurri’s plan is to move to reach an agreement with Smalling as soon as de Vrij gives them an indication that he will not extend his deal, should this be the Dutchman’s decision.
However, Inter are well aware that their window of time to move for the former Manchester United defender is not infinite, and so they do not want to wait too much longer for de Vrij’s response.
