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Manchester United and Chelsea target in contract talks: Star valued at £52m
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea target Stefan de Vrij is set for contract talks with Lazio - but the player could still move in the summer.
Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij's Lazio highlights
Manchester United and Chelsea have supposedly been quoted £52million to sign De Vrij this month.
The centre-back, 24, has greatly impressed at Lazio, who do not want to lose him midway through the season.
Lazio want to tie him down to a long-term contract.
And reports in Italy claim a deal is being discussed between the Rome club and De Vrij's representatives.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport [football italia], De Vrij could be available for around £35m this summer, when he enters the final year of his contract, if he doesn't sign fresh terms.
And that concern has sparked Lazio into action, with the club keen to secure his long-term future and thus maintain a higher transfer fee should a Premier League side make a bid.
Man United and Chelsea reportedly want to sign Stefan de Vrij
Lazio want De Vrij to sign a new contract in Rome
De Vrij's current contract expires in 2018
United are understood to have targeted Southampton defender Jose Fonte and Benfica's Victor Lindelof this month.
But both deals are taking time to complete and De Vrij is reportedly a back-up choice if manager Jose Mourinho doesn't get his way.
De Vrij is also said to be on Blues manager Antonio Conte's wish list.
Conte already looks set to miss out on top defensive target Virgil van Dijk after Southampton boss Claude Puel yesterday ruled out selling the Dutchman.
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