Feyenoord have finally agreed to sell defender Stefan de Vrij to Serie A side Lazio after weeks of negotiations, according to fresh reports in the Dutch media.
De Telegraaf claims the Rome-based outfit have beaten Manchester United to the Holland international’s signature and the deal will be confirmed when he completes a medical this week.
The Italians had been on the verge of walking away after growing frustrated at the length of time the dialogue was taking, but Feyenoord are said to have caved in and accepted an improved £6.7million bid.
De Vrij is now expected to fly to the capital and put pen to paper on a lucrative five-year contract upon the conclusion of his physical exam.
It represents a blow to Unietd boss Louis van Gaal – a keen admirer of his compatriot, who was part of his Netherlands squad in this summer’s World Cup.
The 22-year-old played a key role in van Gaal’s side during their run to the semi-finals in Brazil, at which point they exited the competition following a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Argentina.
United are desperately short of established central defenders following the departure of veterans Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic on free transfers.