Not just Martinez: Man United and Ten Hag also have former Defender of the Year 'on their radar'

Manchester United are interested in Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The Red Devils are poised to announce their first signing of the summer in the form of full-back Tyrell Malacia, as transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano told GiveMeSport that the £14.6m deal for the Feyenoord man is effectively ‘done’.

Erik ten Hag might now turn his attention to a centre-back, with The Athletic reporting that talks over Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez are already at an advanced stage.

However, it seems that the 52-year-old may also be interested in De Vrij, who is now into the final year of his contract with Inter.

Gazzetta dello Sport claimed (via Sport Witness) that Inter may look to offload the 30-year-old this summer for two reasons.

First of all, they want to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer, and secondly, they can put the funds towards further incomings.

United have ‘turned on their radar’, which suggests that this situation has alerted them and that a formal approach might be in the works. De Vrij is ‘waiting for a call’ but isn’t expected to try to force through a move of his own accord.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if United sought multiple defensive additions this summer. After all, they set a new club record last season for goals conceded in a Premier League campaign.

To that effect, Ten Hag may feel that it is an area in need of a revamp ahead of his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Martinez’s capacity to play as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder, in addition to centre-back, is also worth noting. With that in mind, both he and De Vrij could certainly fit into the same squad.

The £25.2m-rated Dutchman brings appropriate