Liverpool leading the race to sign Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer | OneFootball

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has confirmed that defender Stefan de Vrij will leave the club on a free in the summer, paving the way for a move to Liverpool.

The Anfield outfit have been heavily linked with the Netherlands international since he started impressing for the Serie A side last season.

The Biancocelesti had offered the centre back a new deal, but as Tare explained, that contract has been rescinded and the 26-year-old will leave the Italian capital at the end of the current campaign.

“Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract to De Vrij,” Igli Tare told Mediaset Premium.

“We are withdrawing for reasons that we will explain later on.

“It was a choice made after many months of negotiations, but there is also a limit to how things went.

“He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that as well as what he’ll do until the end of the season.

“He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.”

De Vrij has been ever-present in the starting XI this season, missing just one match for Simeone Inzaghi’s men in 2017/18.