AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 31: Stefan de Vrij of Netherlands celebrates scoring the opening goal during the international friendly match between the Netherlands and Spain held at Amsterdam Arena on March 31, 2015 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Chelsea preparing £21m bid for Netherlands international

After missing out on major targets Kalidou Koulibaly and Nikola Maksimovic, Chelsea have turned their sights on Lazio center-back Stefan De Vrij, Football Italia reports.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hinted at new signings after yesterday’s 3-0 win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge to put the Blues on top of the league, and is still determined to add a Serie A defender to his ranks.

De Vrij’s price tag is reported to be around €25m (£21.4m) plus performance-related bonuses.

The Lazio defender is only 24-year-old and has already 30 senior caps and three goals for the Holland national side.

The Dutchman was snapped up from Eredivisie side Feyenoord in 2014 for €7m (£5m), meaning the Italian club would make a good profit from the deal, should Chelsea sign him.

De Vrij has only made 41 appearances scoring once for Lazio as he practically missed the whole 2015/16 season due to a knee ligament surgery in September 2015, but is under contract until 2018.

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