Barca's Defensive Gamble: Inter Sets the Price Tag as January Approaches

Barcelona Eyes Inter Defender Stefan de Vrij in January

Barcelona is closely watching the Dutch defender Stefan de Vrij at Inter Milan as they plot defensive upgrades ahead of the January market.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the 33-year-old has emerged as a fitting option that matches Barca's stringent defensive criteria, offering experience and leadership for big matches.

The Dutchman's deal expires in June, and Inter has no plans to renew, given his reduced minutes, a fading status with the national team, and the club's preference to reinvest in younger prospects six months before the World Cup.

Despite that ambition, Inter has laid a clear gate: let the club secure a credible replacement before allowing De Vrij's exit, a move that could tempt Barca to accelerate talks in January.

Inter is eyeing two Serie A figures as potential fits: the Spain-born Mario Giila, who has been delivering steady progress with Lazio and earned a Spain call-up under Luis de la Fuente, and 22-year-old Tarik Maharimovic, a left-footed centre-back breaking through at Sassuolo.

The Giila situation is delicate: Lazio relies on him, Real Madrid still owns a 50% share of his rights in case of a move, and a mid-season exit would require delicate negotiation to avoid a messy split.

As for Maharimovic, the Bosnian international, Juventus also holds a stake in his rights and competition to sign him is intense, but Inter remains well-positioned to press for his services should the door open.

Elsewhere, Barca's pursuit underscores the ongoing churn in European football's winter window, where selling clubs set conditions and buying clubs sharpen their lists, and fans dream of steel-strong defenses and maybe a trophy or two.

Punchline 1: If De Vrij moves, Barca fans will finally have a wall they can trust—until the wall asks for a raise. Punchline 2: Inter's defense is like my WiFi during a final—always promising an upgrade just as the moment of truth arrives.