Transfer Centre

Barcelona join race for Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 December 2022

Barcelona join race for Denzel Dumfries?

Barcelona reportedly join Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign in-demand Inter Milan and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries.

Barcelona have reportedly joined the race to sign in-demand Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries.

The Netherlands international is believed to have attracted plenty of suitors after an impressive World Cup campaign with Louis van Gaal's side.

Dumfries established himself as Oranje's first-choice on the right-hand side and played every minute as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals, coming up with a goal and two assists along the way.

Dumfries remains under contract at San Siro until the end of the 2024-25 season, but a host of clubs are thought to be queuing up to test Inter's resolve during the January transfer window.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, and according to Fichajes, Barcelona have also registered their interest.

Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries and Ecuador's Piero Hincapie in action at the World Cup on November 25, 2022. © Reuters

The report adds that Barcelona can expect to be quoted as much as €60m (£51.4m) for the signature of Dumfries, and Inter are close to conceding defeat in their efforts to keep him.

Barcelona are still dealing with their well-documented financial problems, but Xavi is understood to be convinced that Dumfries is the right man to reinforce the right-back area at Camp Nou.

The former PSV Eindhoven man has come up with seven goals and 10 assists in 65 games for Inter since making the move from the Eredivisie in 2021, including two goals and three assists from 20 outings in all tournaments this term.

Dumfries was asked about a possible move away from Italy during the World Cup, but he refused to add fuel to the fire surrounding a switch to Chelsea, telling reporters: "Of course it's a big compliment to be linked with Chelsea, but playing for Inter it's big compliment too. Chelsea move in January? I'm focused on nothing else but national team and Inter."

However, the defender's agent Rafaela Pimenta has hinted that he wants to engineer a big-money move for his client and hopes that Inter will not price him out of a move.

Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries celebrates scoring their first goal on March 19, 2022 © Reuters

When asked by Sky Italia whether Dumfries's price tag could rise exponentially after his World Cup exploits, Pimenta responded: "I hope his value doesn't increase — otherwise it will be difficult to transfer him."

Barcelona welcomed Hector Bellerin back to the club over the summer following his exit from Arsenal, but the former La Masia starlet has struggled to earn regular starts under Xavi.

Bellerin has only made five appearances all season, including one start in La Liga and two in the Champions League, and he could leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo are often preferred at right-back over Bellerin, who is also being linked with a move to Roma as a replacement for Rick Karsdorp.

Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier and Villarreal's Juan Foyth are also believed to be on Barcelona's shortlist for right-back improvements.