Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Stefan de Vrij and Thibaut Courtois

Reported Chelsea target Stefan de Vrij has turned down a contract offer from Lazio.

That's according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t TalkSport), who noted the centre-back has little more than a year left on his deal and has not agreed to new terms with the Serie A side. 

The Blues aren't desperate for defensive reinforcements, as their back three of Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz have boasted the joint-best defence in the Premier League this term with 20 goals conceded, while Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake are on hand to provide strong alternative options.

However, Chelsea could perhaps benefit from bringing in a long-term replacement for Cahill, and the 25-year-old would be an upgrade on Ake and Zouma at the very least.

He's a key player for Lazio, providing a reliable and composed presence at the back. Here's a look at his numbers, courtesy of Squawka:

Apps	20
Tackles	34
Headed Duels	33
Interceptions	49
Clearances	77
Blocks	12
Passing Accuracy	86%

An injury saw him miss part of the first half of the season, and it's no coincidence that in the eight Serie A games in which he's not featured, Lazio have kept just one clean sheet.

Nevertheless, he's helped his side boast a defensive record bettered only by Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma in the league this year.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

De Vrij is an excellent player and could make a fine addition to Chelsea's squad.

If he still hasn't put pen to paper on a new contract by this summer, he'll most likely be attainable for Chelsea at a reasonable price—Lazio may want to sell and avoid him leaving for free.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will reportedly have to offer Thibaut Courtois a lucrative deal worth more than £200,000 per week to prevent him joining Real Madrid, according to The Mirror's John Cross.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Cross added the 'keeper is Los Blancos' "top summer target" to replace Keylor Navas at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Courtois recently rejected talk of a move to Madrid, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

After a slightly lacklustre start to the campaign, Courtois has displayed some excellent form in recent months to make Chelsea's defence even more robust.

The Belgian has made little secret of his affinity for Spain, and it seems likely he will return there one day, perhaps to Real or back to Atletico Madrid.

However, for the time being at least, it seems he's set to stay put at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea could strengthen their position by handing him a new deal.