Recent reports from Italian media outlet Calciomercato state that Manchester United are keen on signing Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries in the ongoing transfer window as Erik Ten Hag looks set to add to his defensive options ahead of the 2022/23 season.
‘The Dutchman, who arrived in August 2021 to replace Hakimi, could also leave Milan after just one season,’ the translated version of the report read.
‘Still no official offer but a lot of interest, both from the Premier League (in particular Manchester United) and from Germany, with Bayern Munich on the trail of the Nerazzurri full back.
‘Purchased for €12.5 million (£10.7m) plus bonuses, in via della Liberazione they will consider offers starting at €40 million (£34m).’
Inter find themselves in a difficult financial situation due to their astronomically high wage budget. Inter’s chief executive Beppe Marotta is looking to build a winning team amid all the economic problems, and the only way to do that is by ‘sacrificing the outsiders to keep the other key pieces on the team’. As a result, the Nerazzurri are open to the idea of selling Dumfries to balance the books.
Having come through the ranks at Sparta Rotterdam, Denzel Dumfries signed for Inter Milan from PSV Eindhoven for a fee in the region of £12.5 million. Over the course of the last season, he made 45 appearances for the Nerazzurri, scoring five goals and assisting seven more across all competitions.
The 26-year-old defender managed to put up some awe-inspiring numbers on the board the past term – averaging one tackle, 0.5 clearances, 1.2 shots, and 0.8 key passes per ninety minutes in the Italian top-flight. The Dutch international’s ability to understand certain in-game situations is impressive, especially going forward. Besides winning the ball using his sheer strength and power, Dumfries doesn’t refrain from bursting forward to dribble past the opposition players and put threatening crosses into the box. His powerful runs make him a highly advantageous asset as he adds a new dimension to his side’s attack. Last but not least, his versatility makes him more appealing. He can fill in the conventional right-back position and the contemporary right-midfield position.
What Will He Bring To Old Trafford?
Given the present circumstances, signing a modern-day quality wing-back should be Manchester United’s first priority in the summer transfer window. It’s beyond any doubt that the Red Devils certainly need to upgrade their options in defence to try and solve their issues at the back – and Denzel Dumfries would be the perfect replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has been reportedly told that he is not a part of Ten Hag’s rebuild plans.
His move to the Old Trafford will mean that he instantly competes with Diogo Dalot for a position in the starting eleven. At 26, Dumfries will only get better with each season, so it won’t be a complete surprise if United go all out to secure his signature in the coming days.
(Stats from WhoScored)
