DONE DEAL: Holland defender Stefan De Vrij was publicly unveiled as a Lazio signing yesterday, on an undisclosed fee reported to be around £7million pounds. He has joined the Serie A side, despite reports claiming that English club Manchester United were interested in his services, as they lack defensive cover with the season only a few weeks away. 

Speaking at his official unveiling, he had this to say in a press conference: "I am very happy to be here in a big club and a big city - Lazio were the only club that showed a real interest in me before the World Cup. Afterwards, I evaluated other options but I received the best feelings from Lazio and I'm happy to be here. Several clubs contacted me, I don't think it's fair to say the names. I can say though that Manchester United were not one of them."

It is thought that United are now looking at bringing in defensive duo Mats Hummels and Thomas Vermaelen from Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal respectively, although rumours were circulating about de Vrij's future and reports suggested that he would be happy to play under national team manager Louis van Gaal at club level.

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Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]