Man United, Liverpool and Spurs compete for Stefan de Vrij

Are three of the top Premier League teams set to battle for the Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij? As the scrabble for summer recruits intensifies, Coral are offering odds of 6/1, 5/1 and 50/1 for Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham respectively to win next seasons title.

De Vrij, currently away on World Cup duty with the Netherlands after being selected in Louis van Gaal’s 23-man squad, looks set to be at the heart of a transfer tussle between three English top flight clubs.

The 22-year-old Dutchman, who is utilised at both centre half and right back, has been a stalwart in Feyenoord’s defence this season, making 35 appearances for the Rotterdam club, as they secured an impressive second place in the Eredivisie.

A mainstay in Van Gaal’s clockwork orange, the youngster joins compatriots Daley Blind and Bruno Martins Indi in being linked with following their national team coach, and making the switch to Manchester. Following Van Gaal’s appointment, the Red Devils are now odds-on at 4/6 to secure a top four spot. Having already released veteran centre backs Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Van Gaal will almost certainly be looking to bolster his options, and would seem to be in pole position to land this player if he so wishes.

However, Liverpool and Spurs are also interested in strengthening their rear guard, as competition for European places looks set to be an even tougher challenge next season. Liverpool, finally able to dangle the carrot of Champions League football (and also odds-on at 4/7 for a top four finish), may use this to usurp their bitter north-west rivals and lure De Vrij to Anfield. Spurs, meanwhile, at 11/4 odds-on for a place in the top four, leaked 51 goals last term, and also want to reinforce their backline, particularly as rumours persist that Jan Vertonghen is hoping to end his spell at White Hart Lane.