- Manchester United eye up Denzel Dumfries
- Inter Milan right back available for £25m
- Turning 30-years-old in nine days
Manchester United are reportedly one of four Premier League sides ready to spark a bidding war for Inter Milan and Netherlands national team right-back Denzel Dumfries.
The Dutchman has spent the past five seasons at Inter, winning three Supercoppa Italiana titles, two Coppa Italias, and one Scudetto. Last season, he and Inter reached the UEFA Champions League Final, where they were dismantled 5-0, the heaviest defeat in the competition’s final.
Despite that, Inter have responded strongly in Serie A and now sit seven points clear of Napoli, and nine points ahead of AC Milan. Dumfries, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, could now be preparing for a move, with his focus firmly set on English football.
Dumfires to United
According to TEAMtalk, United are ‘ready’ to open talks with Dumfries and Inter to tee up an impressive summer deal, it has been suggested. Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa are also keen.
Inter are trying to hand the Netherlands star a new contract to remove his €25m (£22m) exit clause. But it would be a surprise if Dumfries agreed a new deal, as he knows the likes of United, Liverpool and City are eyeing him.
With Michael Carrick expected to take the permanent role, recruitment work has already begun. A shortlist is forming, and while right-back does not top it, the position still demands improvement.
Diogo Dalot offers reliability. He has missed just two matches all season.
Across the last five league campaigns, Dalot has played at least 24 games each year. Feature once more this season, and he will make it three consecutive campaigns with 30 or more appearances.
But he does not elevate the side to a title-winning level. As a rotation option, though, he fits. Dependable, hard-working, and positionally flexible.
“I want to make my statement in the team and play as much as I can at right-back… The aim for me will always be helping the team, no matter where I am or which position on the pitch,” Dalot said in 2019.
Dalot may not define the role—but he strengthens the squad.
Could Dumfries be the answer?
It is unlikely that Manchester United would even bother pursuing Dumfries. Whilst he is undoubtedly a fantastic right-back who could elevate the squad, he simply does not fit INEOS’s profile for the players they are looking to sign.
Look at every player United have signed since INEOS came in. Not one of them has been 27 or over, with Noussair Mazraoui the oldest at 26 years and 10 months.
Dumfries, on the other hand, is 29 years old, turning 30 in just nine days, on April 18. There are plenty of positions United need to strengthen—right-back included—but the idea of bringing the Dutchman to Old Trafford simply does not sit right given his age.
