Transfer Centre

Leicester City to offer Timothy Castagne in Denzel Dumfries swap deal?

By Ben Sully | 20 February 2023

Leicester to offer Castagne in Dumfries swap deal?

Leicester City are reportedly willing to offer Timothy Castagne to Inter Milan this summer in a bid to sign Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries.

Leicester City are reportedly prepared to offer Timothy Castagne in a potential swap deal for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries.

Since joining the Nerazzurri from PSV Eindhoven in June 2021, Dumfries has gone on to make 72 appearances for the Italian club, contributing seven goals and 11 assists.

Although Dumfries has a contract until June 2025, his future with Simone Inzaghi's side has been the centre of widespread speculation.

Manchester United and Arsenal are believed to be preparing a bid to sign the Dutchman in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea have been previously linked with a move, although it remains to be seen if they will pursue the transfer with January signing Malo Gusto set to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Leicester City's Timothy Castagne in action with Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho on February 19, 2023 © Reuters

According to InterLive.it, Leicester are the latest Premier League club to join the race for the 26-year-old.

The report suggests that the Foxes could try to beat their Premier League rivals to Dumfries's signature by offering Castagne as part of the deal.

Castagne has been a prominent figure in Brendan Rodgers's side this season, starting 21 of the club's 23 Premier League games.

The Belgium international, who has three years remaining on his Leicester contract, has had previous experience of playing in Italy.

Castagne spent three years with Atalanta BC, registering eight goals and 10 assists in 96 appearances before he joined Leicester in 2020.

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

While the Foxes may be prepared to include the 26-year-old as a potential transfer for Dumfries, Inter are not keen on a makeweight deal.

The Nerazzurri would prefer a cash-only deal and have set an asking price of €40m (£35.5m) for the Netherlands international.

After missing out on a place in the starting XI for the two games prior to Saturday's home meeting with Udinese, Dumfries returned to the Inter lineup for the 3-1 victory, and he played a key role, winning the penalty for Romelu Lukaku's opener.

Dumfries has made 27 appearances for Inter this season, chipping in with two goals and four assists.