Inter’s contract extension talks with defender Stefan de Vrij have hit a stumbling block in the form of a disagreement about the duration of a new deal for the player.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the former Lazio and Feyenoord defender is seeking a new two-year contract, whilst the Nerazzurri prefer to offer just an additional season.
De Vrij’s current contract with Inter is set to run out at the end of June, and there is still little certainty regarding where he will be playing his football at the start of next season.
There had been a report last month that Inter and de Vrij are close to agreeing a new deal, after the Dutchman was reported to have accepted an offer of a new two-year deal on the same wages that he currently earns.
However, according to the Gazzetta, Inter are now more inclined to offer just a new one-year deal.
This comes amid the context of the Nerazzurri’s qualification for next season’s Champions League being highly uncertain, with the revenues potentially missed out on playing a big role in all of their currently ongoing contract negotiations.
Accordingly, at the moment Inter’s preference looks to be for de Vrij to sign a new deal until the end of June 2024 whilst the 31-year-old still wants to sign until the end of June 2025.
Should de Vrij decide not to accept an offer from Inter and leave on a free transfer, Villarreal have been strongly linked as a destination.
Meanwhile, Premier League giants Manchester United have been linked with the Dutchman, as have two other English teams in the form of Aston Villa and Leicester City.
In La Liga, Atletico Madrid join Villarreal in being interested in signing former Lazio defender de Vrij on a free transfer.
