Inter soccer market. Stefan De Vrij could play a few miles away
Now the decision is up to Stefan De Vrij. Inter has presented the seasoned Dutch defender with a one-year renewal proposal, with a reduced salary compared to the current one: just under two million euros for the 2026/27 season. The 1992-born center back will expire at the end of the month and is faced with an important choice: continue his adventure in Milan, consider courtship by newly promoted Monza, or consider a new experience abroad as a free agent.
Complicating the moment is also the injury that has prevented the former Lazio player from being called up by coach Koeman for the World Cup to be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, thus taking away an important international showcase.
The lack of call-up weighs doubly if one considers that the Oranje are going to the rainbow appointment with concrete ambitions. Koeman has called up as many as four players committed to the Italian league: Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, Atalanta’s Marten de Roon, Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners and Roma’s Donyell Malen. The Netherlands is placed in Group J along with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia, and De Vrij could have been an experienced option in a defensive department that fields younger profiles such as Jurriën Timber, Micky van de Ven and Jorrel Hato.
On the Nerazzurri front, De Vrij’s situation fits into a framework of deep restructuring of Inter’s backline. With the conquest of the 21st Scudetto, the management led by Marotta and Ausilio has already planned a significant renewal of the defense: in addition to the Dutch central, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian will also leave the Pinetina on a zero-parameter basis. To compensate for the exits, the definitive redemption of Manuel Akanji from Manchester City – automatically triggered by winning the title – has ensured continuity in the department, while coach Cristian Chivu will also be able to count on Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck as pillars of the future.
For De Vrij, therefore, that of Monza is not the only alternative to Inter’s proposal. The Brianza club, which has just returned to Serie A after a year of purgatory in Serie B, is building a competitive roster to face the top flight – as evidenced also by the renewal until 2028 of outfielder Samuele Birindelli, a protagonist of the promotional ride – and a defender of his experience would represent an absolutely prestigious purchase. It remains to be seen, however, whether the Dutch center-back, at 34 years of age and still with a desire to play a starring role, will prefer the challenge of a newly promoted side or seek his fortune elsewhere, perhaps in a foreign league where he can still show off.
