Manchester United are stepping up their interest in Lazio centre-half Stefan de Vrij after their scouts watched him in action against Hellas Verona on Sunday.
De Vrij gave another fine performance at the back as Lazio kept a clean sheet on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win over their visitors at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, Manchester United scouts watched the Dutchman in action and have sent a glowing report to Louis van Gaal, who has been tracking his progress at Lazio since the start of the season.
It emerged yesterday that Van Gaal is ready to rekindle his interest in the Dutch international defender and is willing to fork out €25m in the summer to take him to Old Trafford.
However, after Manchester United scouts watched De Vrij in action the club are now prepared to step up on their interest in the defender and push the ball further in the transfer saga.
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Although they are yet to make an official offer for the 23-year-old, the club are preparing the groundwork for an eventual approach to Lazio at the end of the season.
Lazio are expected to resist any offer for their talented young defender, but Manchester United are counting on Van Gaal’s previous relationship with De Vrij with the Dutch national team set-up to swing the player their way.
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