Chelsea transfer news: Progress made over shrewd De Vrij deal as transfer fee and salary demands unearthed

Chelsea have been trying to make progress in their pursuit of Stefan de Vrij, a report claims, with contact underway with Inter Milan.

Chelsea and Inter are currently discussing the future of Romelu Lukaku. He returned to the Premier League side from their Serie A counterparts last summer. However, he has been less prolific in front of goal and may want to retrace his steps.

Inter would also want Lukaku back, but need to tread carefully from a financial viewpoint. Hence, the option of De Vrij being included in the opposite direction as a counterweight was recently suggested.

It appears the Dutchman is of interest to Chelsea after all. According to FCInterNews, Chelsea have “come forward” for De Vrij.

Inter – whose contract for the centre-half only has one year left on it – have made him available for a transfer fee of €15m, which equates roughly to £12.8m.

From his perspective, De Vrij is seeking a salary of €5m per season, or approximately £82,000 per week. Inter agreed in principle to give him that last year, but no terms have been signed and they now want him to take a pay cut.

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