Report: Antonio Conte set to ask Man United to sign 29-year-old Dutch star if he replaces Ole | OneFootball

Antonio Conte will eye a transfer for Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij if he is appointed by Manchester United

According to InterLive (h/t The Sun), Antonio Conte is set to demand the transfer of Inter Milan star Stefan de Vrij if Manchester United do go ahead and appoint him as manager of the club.

The Italian’s track record in Italy and England provides enough assurances that he will do a good job wherever he goes. Moreover, his time with Chelsea is a testament that he can cut in the Premier League as well.

Thus, it only bodes well for the Red Devils that the 52-year-old is keen on taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian hangs on to hold his job. However, should Conte be appointed by the Manchester-based club, he is thought to demand one crucial signing.

The former Inter Milan manager led the Serie A club to league success last year, and it would not have been possible without Stefan de Vrij. The Dutch international has been a mainstay at the club in recent seasons and still has several good years ahead, with his former boss ready to demand his signing at a new club.

The Old Trafford outfit currently possesses Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and Phil Jones as their centre-back options. While all the defenders are experienced options, the latter duo has not made a league start this season, and there are no guarantees over their futures at the club.

Thus, the addition of the 29-year-old Serie A winning centre-back would make Conte happy while it would also ensure that the board is ready to back him at the club.

De Vrij is only believed to become available next summer, and a deal could be done for a fee in the region of £25million, unless his agent, Mino Raiola, makes things tough for the 13-time Premier League champions.

However, all this will only come to the frame if Conte is appointed by United as the hierarchy look divided over his appointment.