Chelsea transfer news: Manchester United and Blues set to go toe-to-toe over £35million Stefan de Vrij this summer
Reports claim centre-back will snub January move to sign a new deal with Lazio and drive up his value
CHELSEA and Manchester United will go toe-to-toe over Stefan de Vrij, according to reports in Italy.
The Premier League rivals were among a host of clubs linked with a January move for the Lazio centre-back.
But claims De Vrij will sign a new deal - meaning any suitors will have to wait until summer to launch a bid.
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United and Chelsea would have to shell out around £35million for the Dutch centre-back, 24, who is one of Europe's elite defenders.
De Vrij - who has won 30 international caps - has been a long-term target for several English clubs after starring in Serie A following a move from Feyenoord in 2014.
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The Red Devils are believed to be on the hunt for a new centre-back despite signing Eric Bailly in the last transfer window.
Marcos Rojo is yet to convince Jose Mourinho of his talents while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been plagued by injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to lose John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic at the end of the season, and Antonio Conte wants technically-gifted players to join the likes of David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta at Stamford Bridge.
However, it’s believed Juventus ace Leonardo Bonucci is Chelsea’s top target after Roman Abramovich gave the thumbs-up to a huge spending spree across the next two transfer windows.
Roma’s Antonio Rudiger and Burnley youngster Michael Keane are also options for the Blues, who have been formidable since deploying a three-man defence in the Premier League.