Aston Villa, Leicester City join race for Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij?

Aston Villa and Leicester City reportedly hold an interest in signing Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij.

The 30-year-old has spent the majority of his professional career in Serie A, making 231 appearances in the division for Lazio and his current club.

De Vrij remains a first-team regular at San Siro, being provided with 14 starts and two substitute outings in Italy's top flight and the Champions League during 2022-23.

However, there is currently doubt over whether the Netherlands international will stay at Inter in the long term due to his contract being due to expire in the summer.

According to FC Inter News, De Vrij would prefer to extend his period with I Nerazzurri if a deal can be reached over a new deal.

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As it stands, however, the relevant parties are allegedly apart regarding numbers with Inter wanting De Vrij to reduce his salary in order to stay at the club.

From De Vrij's perspective, he is said to want to at least remain on his current terms, resulting in somewhat of an impasse and opening the door to foreign clubs.

De Vrij is able to hold formal discussions with clubs outside of Serie A from January onwards, with Villa and Leicester seemingly monitoring any developments with the situation.

As far as Villa are concerned, Unai Emery has just arrived at the West Midlands outfit and will reportedly be given the freedom to make changes to his squad in January.

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Although Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have spent the majority of the season in the middle of the backline, there is scope for alterations being made with Villa sitting in the bottom half of the standings.

The same applies with Leicester, who have also overturned a disastrous start to the campaign to look much improved ahead of the break for the World Cup.

Nevertheless, while Wout Faes has starred since his arrival at the King Power Stadium as a replacement for Wesley Fofana, Leicester may require an alternative for Caglar Soyuncu in January.

The report adds that Atletico Madrid are also admirers of De Vrij at a time when claims persist that Diego Simeone will make changes to his squad at the midway point of the season.

Felipe, a centre-back, as well as Matheus Cunha and Joao Felix could all leave Wanda Metropolitano if a suitable proposal arrives at the turn of the year.