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Dutch international defender and long time Manchester United target Stefan de Vrij is set to join Italian side Lazio. The Serie A club announced the £6.7million deal via social networking media, Twitter.
Feyenoord skipper de Vrij was amongst the numerous Dutch names that was linked with Manchester United this summer, ever since Louis van Gaal was designated as the man to take over from David Moyes this summer.
Many had tipped van Gaal to bring the Dutch international to spearhead the restructuring of the backline at Old Trafford. Manchester United have lost a complete generation at the back with trio of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra making moves away from Manchester.
De Vrij was one of van Gaal’s most trusted generals at the back during his stint with the Dutch national team that culminated with Netherland’s third place finish in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup.
The 22 year old had been heavily linked with a number of clubs entering his final year contract at Feyenoord. Recent speculation had tipped Manchester United as leading the way for his signature, but he is now set to jet off to Rome to start off the next phase of his career at Lazio.
Lazio’s communications director Stefano De Martino seemed particularly pleased with the capture. “We welcome with joy the best defender at the World Cup. He is an international-level signing”, the Italian announced.
The transfer marks the fourth major name departing the Rotterdam club this summer. Feyenoord had already lost defenders Bruno Martins Indi and Daryl Janmaat to Porto and Newcastle United respectively; while forward Graziano Pellè scooted off to join Ronald Koeman at Southampton.
