Rodgers and Liverpool eye Feyenoord defensive star again

Brendan Rodgers is keeping close tabs on Feyenoord’s recent results as the Liverpool manager continues to track the progress of their star defender.

That man is Stefan De Vrij, the 21-year-old club captain who has been attracting the attention of big clubs since breaking into the first team.

De Vrij’s rise to prominence at the Rotterdam-based club has been brisk, having made his debut as a 17-year-old in September 2009.

Stefan De Vrij has made nine appearances for the Netherlands

Since then, the central defender has established himself as a key figure in the Feyenoord side and became captain during last season after the departure of Ron Vlaar to Aston Villa.

And now it appears that De Vrij could also be on his way to England with Liverpool leading a host of Premier League sides interested in the Dutch international.

The ball-playing defender has made nine appearances for his country, first breaking into the national side for a friendly with Belgium in 2012 under new manager Louis Van Gaal.

He was rumoured to be on his way across the North Sea last summer but decided to continue his development at Feyenoord.

Stefan De Vrij was made Feyenoord captain aged just 21

However it is believed that a move to a bigger club would now be too difficult for the young centre-back to turn down.

Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea all have the 21-year-old – who has guided his side to fourth place in the Dutch Eredivise – firmly on their radar.

But Liverpool, who occupy the same position in the Premier League standings, are keen on strengthening their central defensive options despite the fine form of new recruit Mamadou Sakho so far this season.

Similarly Manchester United are keen to revive a leaking defence which, led by Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic, has conceded 24 goals this season.