Exclusive: Nottingham Forest set sights on Stefan de Vrij
Nottingham Forest are keeping tabs on Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the San Siro at the end of the season and has struggled for game time, throwing his future into doubt heading into the mid-season window.
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has told the centre-back he needs to be playing regular football if he is to be in with a chance of making the World Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are in the market for a new centre-back ahead of the mid-season transfer window as Sean Dyche eyes further improvements to his squad.
This comes as Football Insider revealed on 26 November that Chelsea are plotting a move for Murillo and could explore a big-money deal when the January window opens.
Nottingham Forest set sights on Stefan de Vrij
De Vrij could be open to a move away from Inter Milan in the mid-season window as he eyes a return to the Netherlands side after being left out of last month’s squad.
So far this season, he has made just five appearances under Chivu, with three of those coming in the Champions League and just two in Serie A.
Nottingham Forest’s first-choice duo of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have been widely praised and have seen a return to top form under Dyche’s management so far.
However, the options for depth and rotation including Morato have been widely criticised, and the addition of a new big-name option is on their radar.
De Vrij’s availability, with his wealth of experience at the elite level of football both for his club sides and internationally, could present the ideal opportunity for Forest.
Sean Dyche hopes to be backed in January
Mick Brown told Football Insider on 13 November that Dyche wants to be backed by Nottingham Forest as he aims to strengthen his squad.
Forest have always shown a willingness to back managers financially, having done so during the summer when they spent around £210million on new players.
Depth at centre-back is one of the positions that could do with strengthening, while Dyche is keen to mould his squad to better suit his style of play.
However, given the level of control Evangelos Marinakis and Edu Gaspar have over the transfer policy, questions have been asked about Dyche’s backing.
Football Insider revealed on 21 October that Nottingham Forest could be restricted in January as a result of their massive spending during the summer window.
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