Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils target Stefan de Vrij joins Lazio from Feyenoord

Serie A side snap up de Vrij as United boss van Gaal looks elsewhere

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has missed out on one of his primary summer targets after Stefan de Vrij joined Lazio.

The 22-year-old star was picked by the Dutch coach for every one of the Netherlands' games at the World Cup this summer and van Gaal has openly admitted he is looking for a defender.

A tweet released by Lazio's official Twitter account on Wednesday evening read: "Lazio can confirm the permanent signing of Stefan de Vrij from Feyenoord."

While rumours have simmered during the transfer window that the pair may be reunited at Old Trafford, the Serie A side won the race to his signature after the player completed a medical on Monday.

de Vrij, a product of the Feyenoord's academy, made 135 appearances for his former club and scored 7 goals.

He joins Marco Parolo, Filip Djordjevic and full-back Dusan Basta in signing on at the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio hope to do better than the ninth-placed finish they achieved last season.

"I didn't make my choice to join Lazio overnight," he told Feyenoord's official website.

"It is an informed decision which came about following many discussions with the club, where I had a good feeling."

"That good feeling has been reaffirmed over the recent days in which I have been completing the transfer. Lazio really proved that they wanted to have me and I am very happy I have made this move.

"I hope to become a more complete defender in Italy. I'll be playing against some world-class strikers, and that's a great challenge."