Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Stefan de Vrij and Nelson Semedo Rumours

Manchester United reportedly have a number of international defensive reinforcements in sight after it emerged Lazio's Stefan de Vrij is close to a move, while Benfica star Nelson Semedo is also being tracked.

Alex Porter of the Manchester Evening News sourced a report from Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, which said De Vrij is edging toward an Old Trafford switch after rejecting "several" contract offers with his current club.

The 30-times capped Netherlands international has established himself as one of Serie A's elite defenders since moving to the Stadio Olimpico from Feyenoord in in 2014, and United boss Jose Mourinho appears to be a fan.

That being said, Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal noted the potential impact injuries could have on De Vrij, who was on the bench for Sunday's 2-0 defeat to AS Roma after two months out injured:

"

Such a tough break for De Vrij, one of the best center backs in Serie A, after tearing his ACL last year now suffered another injury

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) October 20, 2016"

United already invested in the services of central defender Eric Bailly over the summer, but the Ivory Coast international is set to depart for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in the new year and will leave the side hampered.

It's said the move will cost the Red Devils as much as £30 million—the same sum it took to steal Bailly from Villarreal—and Amoyal further outlined De Vrij's credentials as one of the Italian top flight's finest:

Chris Smalling has also spent time on United's sidelines this season, leaving Mourinho to utilise Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo as his first-choice centre-back pairing of late, but replacements may still be sought after.

De Vrij, 24, made just five total appearances for Lazio during the 2015-16 campaign as a knee injury stopped his season early, and United may wish to see more of the star in action before investing such a hefty fee.

Meanwhile, Benfica right-back Semedo is also said to have caught United's attention, with the English giants supposedly in attendance to watch him during Tuesday's 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Napoli.

Antonio Valencia has enjoyed a revival under Mourinho this season while Matteo Darmian has slipped down the ranks, and Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen spoke highly of the emerging defensive star:

The 23-year-old could be a difficult target to capture, however, considering his contract runs until the summer of 2021 and comes equipped with a release clause worth £50 million, per TalkSport.

Semedo has made 39 total appearances for the Eagles since earning his first-team debut last year, and convincing Benfica to part ways with their full-back will be a tall order for Mourinho.