{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}}
Tottenham 'in the driving seat' to sign Stefan de Vrij after £15m reveal - pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Tottenham are “definitely in the driving seat” to sign Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij this summer.
The former Spurs full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the relationship between Antonio Conte and the 30-year-old gives Spurs a “big advantage”.
As revealed by Football Insider on Tuesday (3 May), Inter Milan have told De Vrij he can leave for £15million this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract.
That has opened the door to De Vrij’s Premier League suitors, who include Tottenham, Newcastle and Villa.
However, Hutton suggested Spurs are very much the favourites to pull off a deal.
Discussing Conte’s relationship with De Vrij, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It definitely gives you a big advantage.
Get Exclusive transfers news at Football Insider's YouTube TV channel
“It depends on what the relationship was like but normally, when you play under a manager, you like them. It goes the opposite way as well, so that helps.
“They would definitely be in the driving seat but I think there are a lot of teams in the Premier League that would look at him.
“It’s really down to him. The lure of London and everything obviously helps so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re a front runner.”
De Vrij played 88 times under Conte during their time together at Inter Milan.
The Netherlands star has been at the San Siro since leaving Lazio in 2018.
He has played 161 times for Inter to date, while he also has 55 international caps under his belt.
In other news, expert tears into Spurs ace after source update – “Am I missing something?”