Dumfries: Why Inter may keep Aston Villa target

Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries poses with the trophy during the ceremony for the Italian Champions following the Italian Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Lazio in Milan, on May 19, 2024. Inter celebrates his 20th Scudetto. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Denzel Dumfries has just a year left on his contract with Inter but could stay at the club even if he doesn’t agree a new contract, reports explain.

The 28-year-old Dutch wing back has featured heavily under Simone Inzaghi since joining the club back in August 2021, often rotating with Matteo Darmian in the starting line-up. This term, he scored four goals and provided six assists in 1963 minutes of action across 36 matches.

Inter have been keen to tie down Dumfries to a new contract, not wanting to lose him on a free transfer next summer, but negotiations have stalled due to his lofty salary requests, wanting his €2.5m net wages to be doubled.

Dumfries situation

Page 19 of today’s Tuttosport details how Inter aren’t willing to offer Dumfries a contract worth more than €4m net, the same amount given to Federico Dimarco back in December. The club have set a €30m price on the wing back, with Aston Villa registering their interest.

Inzaghi considers the 28-year-old to be a key starter in his squad and so the Nerazzurri won’t let him leave for cheap. Even if he doesn’t agree a new contract, the club would be willing to retain him for the 2024-25 season, regardless of the risk that he could leave on a free transfer next year.