Chelsea change transfer plan after SHOCK Maresca admission

Cameron Smith

10 Mar 2025 09:45 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea are eager to sign Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries during the upcoming summer transfer window, according to a sensational report in Spain.

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The Netherlands international has been linked with a Premier League switch for several years and although his current deal at San Siro isn’t set to expire until 2028, he is being targeted by a host of top English clubs.

That is according to Fichajes, who claim that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle for Dumfries’ signature this summer.

Inter are reportedly expected to demand a transfer fee of €50 million to sanction a sale ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, but a summer exit now seems “increasingly likely” as Dumfries looks to leave the Serie A giants on a permanent deal.

Man Utd were heavily linked with signing the Dutchman as a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka last year and they are set to rekindle their interest later this year, despite the success of Noussair Mazraoui since his arrival from Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Chelsea are both eyeing a possible deal for Dumfries as they scour the European football scene for reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window.

© IMAGO - Denzel Dumfries in action for the Netherlands

Chelsea want Denzel Dumfries after Reece James comment

Chelsea’s reported interest in Dumfries comes after Maresca’s recent admission that he believes Reece James is destined for a career as a central midfielder, rather than as a right-back.

Following Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Copenhagen on Thursday, Maresca told reporters: “So, you can ask Reece; when I signed with Chelsea, probably the day after, I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder.

“I see Reece as a midfielder, not now - since day one. Before I met him for the first time, he was on holiday, and I sent him a clip of him playing in midfield.”

James has played in midfield on two occasions so far this season, versus Aston Villa and Copenhagen, and Chelsea are seemingly set to target a new right-back this summer following his position change.