Transfer Centre

Liverpool, Manchester United target Stefan de Vrij confirms Lazio departure

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 February 2018

Defender Stefan de Vrij confirms that he will leave Lazio at the end of the season after failing to agree a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij has confirmed that he will leave the Serie A giants at the end of the season.

Earlier this week, sporting director Igli Tare revealed that the two parties would "say goodbye" after failing to come to terms over a new deal for the Netherlands international.

De Vrij has been strongly linked with a transfer to either Liverpool or Manchester United, but the player has suggested that he is disappointed to be leaving the Stadio Olimpico.

On Instagram, the 26-year-old said: "It has been a very difficult period full of speculations on my future to come to this point that nobody desired.

"Unfortunately we were not able to find a satisfying agreement for both parties due to various reasons. I understand the disappointment of the Lazio fans very well and it hurts me leaving in this way. Even though I am very happy and I feel at home here, sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone to achieve our desired goals.

"I will forever be grateful to Lazio and to the fans for always being there for me, for the trust and opportunities given. I have always tried to demonstrate that by giving the best of me and I will keep doing that until the end."

Since joining Lazio in 2014, De Vrij has scored six goals in 98 appearances in all competitions.