Inter Milan and Netherlands centre-back Stefan de Vrij is reportedly on the brink of sealing a surprising transfer to Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos. The 34-year-old defender is leaving Inter as a free agent after eight fruitful years with the Italian side, with final discussions presently underway to conclude the remaining aspects of his move to Athens.

As per reports from Eindhovens Dagblad, the former Feyenoord defender is eager to embark on a fresh chapter of his career abroad, having already made over 300 appearances in Serie A during stints with Lazio and Inter. While the transfer has yet to be officially confirmed, the expectation is that the paperwork will be completed soon. The experienced Dutchman's arrival represents a bold statement for the Athens-based club, who endured a disappointing season last year, finishing fourth in the Greek Super League and 20 points adrift of title winners AEK Athens.

Following a frustrating domestic campaign, Panathinaikos have initiated a major restructuring process which included parting ways with ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard has been succeeded by 38-year-old Danish coach Jacob Neestrup, who earned recognition for his impressive four-year coaching spell at FC Copenhagen. Neestrup is determined to strengthen his backline with seasoned European experience, viewing the Dutch international as the perfect addition to anchor his defensive system.

At the Olympic Stadium in Athens, de Vrij will reunite with several familiar faces from Dutch football circles. He is set to join forward Cyriel Dessers, who scored three goals in eight appearances during his debut campaign in Greece, and midfielder Tonny Vilhena, who remains tied to the club for another season. De Vrij brings with him a wealth of top-level experience, boasting three Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia trophies, and three Supercoppa Italiana triumphs earned during his illustrious career with the Nerazzurri.

Panathinaikos are preparing for a demanding summer as they aim to end their domestic league title drought that has persisted since 2010. Neestrup’s squad are scheduled to travel to the Netherlands next week for a pre-season training camp, which will feature a friendly clash against Eredivisie giants Ajax.

De Vrij, who missed the World Cup due to a persistent groin injury, is now keen to complete his medical quickly and join the team ahead of their pre-season preparations.