Inter Milan could be close with de Vrij

In Italy, reports suggest because of the recent fallout between Stefan de Vrij and Lazio, the Dutch international is back on the market with Inter Milan leading the way.

Shortly after Lazio’s 2-0 win against Verona, team director Igli Tare said the team has withdrawn its offer and “our paths will divide in June.

“Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij,” Tare told Mediaset Premium. “We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on. It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.”

Now, the Nerazzurri are poised to jump in and take the free agent as an offer of €4 million per season being put on the table. The deal includes bonuses, according to Football Italia.

Keep up on Nerazzurri transfer news and rumors here.

But, there is a wrinkle … as there usually is.

If Inter fail to make the Champions League, it could sour any deal made now and could have an impact on deals already in place.

After Lazio’s win Monday, Inter is in fifth – out of a Champions League spot – a point back of Lazio and two adrift of Roma with Juventus and Napoli way out in front.

Suning Group, majority owners of the club, are relying on early revenues generated from Champions League qualification to infuse cash into the bottom line, thus avoiding any issues with Financial Fair Play rules.

The deals struck in the winter mercato all have options for the club to purchase after the season is complete.

Inter management spent very little money during the winter transfer window – choosing instead to structure loan deals with purchase provisions at the end of the loan to save money up front. That said, if the club chooses to keep Rafinha – and that appears to be a good idea presently – they will pay Barcelona approximately €35 million. Toss in another €9 million if they keep defender Lisandro Lopez and add the €20.2 million for Martinez and you have around €65 million in purchase.

Of course, the club will recoup some money if West Ham keep Joao Mario. Galatasaray is under no obligation to hold on to Yuto Nagatomo, so he will likely be coming back.

Now, de Vrij would be a “free agent” and wouldn’t cost Inter Milan any money up front, but without the extra income from the Champions League, paying the salaries of both Rafinha and de Vrij – tossing out Lopez for the sake of argument – may be a pill Suning Group isn’t willing to swallow. Toss in another fight coming possibly for Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic as well as the deal already made for Lautaro Martinez and the club almost has to qualify in order for even half of these players to stay.

Suning Group and Inter management has been very shroud in their loan dealings and financial obligations, but it could come back to bite them, if the Champions League doesn’t happen.

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