Chelsea make new move for Dumfries: The details

FT Desk

27 Sep 2022 10:36 CDT
3 min read

Denzel Dumfries, Inter, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries moved to Inter Milan instead of Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven last summer, but the Blues retain an interest in the player and are set to bid for him again.

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Inter may have surrendered their Serie A title to city rivals AC Milan last season, but Dumfries had a stellar campaign following his €15 million move, contributing five goals and five assists as the Nerazzurri finished second, two points off the pace.

Dumfries's value has climbed to €22m per Football Transfers' in-house algorithm, and Inter are optimistic they could command more than twice that fee. Chelsea could further sweeten a January deal for Dumfries by loaning the player straight back for the remainder of the season.

3️⃣ | DUMFRIES @DenzelJMD2 🏊🏊#ForzaInter #RomaInter pic.twitter.com/TCE32ITLB2
— Inter (@Inter_en) December 5, 2021

"Chelsea are working to buy him with the same method chosen by Tottenham Hotspur to freeze out competition for [Udinese's on-loan] Destiny Udogie," report Corriere dello Sport. "They'd like an outright transfer complete with a loan until 30 June 2023.

"Inter are in favour because they would resolve their budget problem thanks for the valuation given to Denzel of around €50m, but could still count on him for 2022/23, something specifically requested by head coach Simone Inzaghi."

Dumfries: 'interest flatters me'

Dumfries remains committed to Inter for now, telling Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf only on Sunday that: "the interest of top European clubs flatters me, but now my focus is only on Inter. We want to win the Scudetto because we lost it last season and that disappointment's still strong today."

Clearly the structure of Chelsea proposed deal allows for that possibility however, and they are keen to tie up any Dumfries loose ends quickly for fear that an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands this winter would invite other bidders and further drive up his price.

The Romelu Lukaku deal could prove crucial here. The Belgium striker is back on loan at Inter having moved to Chelsea for €109.2m last summer, and with Thomas Tuchel - who didn't rate Lukaku - no longer at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have an advantage over the competition for Dumfries.