Krishnan Sreekumar
Incoming Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag identifies Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries as main transfer target
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t The Sun), incoming new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries his ‘top’ transfer target in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Dumfries only moved to Inter last summer from PSV Eindhoven but could be set for yet another transfer at the end of the season. ten Hag is said to be a big fan of the player, and is keen to add the Dutchman to his new-look squad.
United’s defence has been shambolic this term, conceding cheap goals and committing schoolboy errors at the back. They have failed to hold their own against stronger opposition, unable to keep a clean sheet against other big teams.
This has drastically affected their position in the Premier League table, with the club only likely to finish in sixth place, outside the top four. Given they finished runners-up last year, this would see a drastic fall in standards.
Other alternative options for ten Hag
ten Hag is expected to come in and change United’s poor form this season, putting together a new-look team of his own. The manager had initially planned on bringing Noussair Mazraoui along with him to Old Trafford in the summer, but the Ajax star seems to be headed to Bayern Munich in the coming weeks.
With other alternatives needed given this transfer blow, the Dutchman has identified Dumfries as the ideal candidate as his new right-back, with the defender lying on top of his list of preferences. The 26-year-old will not come cheap, however, with Inter looking to net at least £30m from his sale at the end of the season.
Dumfries has been excellent for Inter since his move last year, putting in consistent and reliable displays in both attack and defence as the Italian club looks to retain their Serie A title. They currently sit second in the league table, only two points away from leaders AC Milan.
The Netherlands international is used to playing as a wing-back for his current team, whereas ten Hag is known to employ a standard four-man defence with full-backs on the flanks at Ajax. If the player does end up making a move to United, he could be set for a slight change in role.
More Manchester United News
- Fabrizio Romano confirms the exit of Manchester United director of football negotiations Matt Judge in the summer
- Manchester United suffer transfer blow as Juventus ace Paulo Dybala has chosen to join Inter Milan for free in the summer
- Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka eyed by AS Roma with former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho keen on the player
He would also look to compete with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a place in the Red Devils’ team at right-back, with the former seemingly established as first-choice in the squad under Ralf Rangnick. It remains to be seen if the incoming new manager sees Dumfries as his preferred pick- assuming that we do manage to sign him-, or if sticks with Dalot.
Whatever the plan may be, it could spell trouble for Wan-Bissaka. The Englishman has not enjoyed a good season thus far and could fall further down the pecking order if the Manchester side ends up signing Dumfries in the summer. That is without considering the situation where Brandon Williams returns from his loan spell at Norwich City this summer.
