Lazio have increased their offer for Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij to £6.3million plus add-ons in an attempt to stave off a late move from Manchester United.
According to Italian source Il Messaggero, talks between the Rome outfit and the Holland international’s employers have stepped up to a significant extent and the Serie A club has offered extra incentive in order to get the deal over the line.
Discussions with de Vrij’s representatives are said to have gone well and the transfer could be completed before the weekend, with dialogue set to continue in Rotterdam.
Lazio are now firm favourites to pip United to the post, despite the presence of de Vrij’s former Netherlands mentor Louis van Gaal in the Red Devils hotseat.
The 22-year-old played a key role in van Gaal’s Holland side during their run to the World Cup semi-finals in Brazil.
Should the transfer go through, van Gaal will swiftly turn his attention to other central defenders – a position in which he is desperately short following the duel departure of veterans Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Ex-England man Ferdinand has joined Queens Park Rangers and his long-term partner at Old Trafford, Vidic, is now an Inter Milan player.
United still hope to land Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels, Football Express News understands.