‘Door opens’ for Tottenham, Newcastle as price for player Conte ‘admires’ drops to £15m
According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United target Stefan De Vrij has been made available for just £15m ahead of this summer.
It was reported back in March that Tottenham are targeting De Vrij ‘at the request’ of Antonio Conte.
The Spurs boss worked with the centre-back during their time together at Inter Milan. De Vrij has played 161 times for the Italian giants since the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
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The 30-year-old won the Serie A title when Conte was in charge in 2020/21. He is out of contract in 2023 and he is expected to leave Inter Milan this summer.
Football Insider are reporting that the ‘door has opened’ for clubs to sign De Vrij, with Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa interested in him.
De Vrij is ‘yet to open talks’ with Inter over a new deal so his future is ‘up in the air’. He was previously valued at £40m but he is now available for just £15m.
It is stated that Conte is a ‘huge admirer’ of the defender and he wanted Tottenham to sign him in January.
Elsewhere, The Daily Mail say that Tottenham are ‘looking at alternatives’ to Pochettino if Conte attempts to exit this summer ‘with Graham Potter and Roberto Mancini among the names set to be considered’.
It is understood that Pochettino is ‘largely viewed as the ideal candidate to replace the Italian’ but ‘there is some opposition from within the Tottenham hierarchy’ to his potential return.
That ‘resistance has led the club to explore other avenues’ with Potter and Mancini emerging as possible options.
Brighton manager Potter was linked with a move to Spurs in the summer when Nuno was appointed and just before Conte’s arrival in north London.
The Daily Mail adds that Tottenham have ‘long admired the work Potter has accomplished at Brighton and will be on the club’s radar if they find themselves trying to replace Conte this summer’.
Mancini, who is currently manager of the Italian national team, is also ‘an option’ with Spurs’ managing director of football Fabio Paratici ‘an admirer’ of the former Manchester City boss.
The Daily Mail adds: ‘It’s important to stress that Tottenham’s due diligence towards the appointment of Conte’s successor remains a matter of contingency preparation, with sources indicating succession planning at football clubs is completely normal.
‘Indeed, Tottenham’s plan A is for Conte to stay in charge heading into next season – and there is a feeling behind the scenes that he will not walk away.’