Newcastle United in ‘pole position’ for Inter Milan star wanted by cross-city rivals AC Milan

AC Milan’s hopes of completing a controversial move for Internazionale defender Stefan de Vrij are reportedly set to be dashed by Newcastle United.

The Dutch centre-back has enjoyed a successful five-year spell with the Nerazzurri as he claimed a Serie A title, two Supercoppa Italia wins and a Coppa Italia, as well as helping his side to the Europa League Final in 2020, where they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Sevilla.

However, the 30-year-old is now entering the final months of his current contract with Inter and has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have both been named as potential suitors for De Vrij but DAZN are now suggesting AC Milan could offer the defender an opportunity to remain in Serie A.

The report states Milan are hoping to add some experience to a back-line that has endured a challenging season so far, with Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori both suffering from inconsistency during the campaign. The Rossoneri are said to have made an enquiry over De Vrij’s next move and are keen to persuade him to make a ‘forbidden move’ from their arch rivals.

Crucially, DAZN have revealed De Vrij has received ‘an important offer’ from Newcastle and is ‘close’ to agreeing to move to Tyneside on a free transfer at the end of the season. De Vrij’s agent Federico Pastorello has already spoken of his client’s future in recent weeks and told Tutto Mercato there are ‘plenty of opportunities’ lying in wait for the defender.

Speaking last month, he said: “There will be no shortage of offers, but at his age and for a very thoughtful boy like him, who has basically played for two-three clubs in his career, all aspects will be important.

“He will soon be a dad too and this will be another aspect he will take into consideration. The liking and the possibility to stay is absolute. At the end of the year there will be many top clubs looking for a centre-back, there will be plenty of opportunities, but his assessments will concern not only the contractual aspect, but also many elements, as mentioned.”

De Vrij will hope to return to the Inter lineup when they face Empoli on Monday night after being an unused substitute in four of their last five Serie A games.