News from Football Insider suggests Newcastle United have put Inter Milan centre-back Stefan de Vrij on their radar for a January move. This news comes right after the Dutch defender’s big-money move to Saudi side Al Hilal fell through at the last minute. The Magpies are hunting for defensive help this month. Now that De Vrij is suddenly available, the recruitment team at St James’s Park are on high alert.
Newcastle United Eye Stefan de Vrij Swoop Following Al Hilal Collapse
There is plenty of competition for the 33-year-old’s signature. Nottingham Forest are also keen on him. While Forest seem to prefer a loan deal, it is still unclear what Newcastle will offer, whether it’s a short-term fix or a long-term contract. The rumours are picking up speed because manager Eddie Howe is facing a defensive crisis. He will be without Fabian Schär for a long time following the Swiss defender’s recent ankle surgery.
However, the Football Insider report points out a big catch to any potential deal. It claims UEFA would block De Vrij from playing in Newcastle’s upcoming Champions League matches. This is because he already played for Inter Milan earlier in the tournament.
Consequently, the report asks if it is worth paying a veteran high wages if he could only play in domestic games. This restriction might make the club bosses think twice about whether his experience is worth missing out on European help.
Is De Vrij the Right Fit for Tyneside?
Bringing in Stefan de Vrij would definitely add some much-needed top-level experience to Newcastle’s backline. The Dutchman has spent nearly 10 years leading defences in Serie A. That league is famous for its tough tactical style. He is calm on the ball and reads the game well.
This makes De Vrij a perfect backup for Fabian Schär, whose passing skills are a huge part of Howe’s plan. Since the Magpies are playing in so many competitions, securing a defender with De Vrij’s background could be huge for keeping their Premier League run going while they rotate the squad.
However, the claim that he can’t play in the Champions League deserves a second look. Some say De Vrij is cup-tied, but UEFA actually changed the rules before the 2018/19 season. Clubs can now register up to three new players for the knockout stages.
This applies even if those players already played for a different club in the same competition. As long as Newcastle can find a spot in their 25-man squad and stay within Financial Fair Play rules, they should be able to pick De Vrij for Europe.
If the Magpies can get him registered, the move looks a lot better. De Vrij gives them a high-quality, quick fix for their injury problems. He wouldn’t need a long-term adjustment period. Having him around would let Sven Botman and Dan Burn rest more often, keeping everyone fresh. In the end, if the money works for the club, signing a defender of his quality could be the move that helps Newcastle win a trophy this season.
