Chelsea and Spurs bidding war may be sparked as Dumfries price slashed

Chelsea and Tottenham may soon be drawn into a potential January bidding war for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, who could reportedly be available for a cut-price fee when the transfer window reopens. Both clubs are believed to be drawing up their respective plans for the mid-season market behind closed doors and could find themselves embroiled in a hotly-contested battle for Dumfries’ signature if they decide to firm up their shared interest at the turn of the year.

The Dutch full-back is said to be a target for both Chelsea and Tottenham after impressing since his move to Inter in the summer of 2021 and could be sold for a relatively modest fee in January in spite of his important role at the San Siro. The Italian giants have slashed Dumfries’ asking price to a lowly figure of just £26.2million, according to Calciomercatoweb, which is likely to be affordable for his Premier League suitors next year.

Dumfries has featured in all of Inter’s league matches since the beginning of the campaign, chipping in with a goal on the opening day against Lecce and three further assists in the process. He was also a standout performer for the Netherlands at Euro 2020 last summer and will be hoping to show what he is capable of at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, with the Oranje set to get their campaign underway against Senegal in Group A on Monday.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte left his position at Inter shortly before Dumfries was snapped up by the club last summer, although the Italian coach is believed to be a keen admirer of the player nonetheless. Recent reports have suggested that Spurs may attempt to negotiate a part-exchange deal that would see Emerson Royal go the other way, with the 23-year-old having struggled to live up to expectations on a consistent basis since joining the north Londoners from Barcelona at the start of last season.

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However, it seems as though Inter boss Simone Inzaghi could put a stop to any potential move elsewhere for Dumfries in January after underlining his preference to keep the Dutch international by insisting that no defenders will be leaving the club before the campaign draws to a close.

“I’m not laughing about transfers because we are in a situation where I see other teams buying every day while my Inter are said to be selling by the papers,” Inzaghi told Sky Italy. “Have I had any signs from the owners that there may be sales? Absolutely not, but I want to reiterate that this is our team for the season.”

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Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will have the budget to compete for the signing of Dumfries in January, with free-spending Chelsea seemingly in a better position to meet Inter’s transfer demands. Conte highlighted the financial power of Tottenham’s rivals in the Premier League when quizzed on the topic last month, telling reporters: “Honestly, I don’t know this [what the club will do in January].

“”For sure, the life will always be more difficult in the future. For sure, Tottenham has to have the challenge with a team like Newcastle, also Arsenal. Arsenal in the last three or four years, every season they invest money and now we are talking about a really, really good team with a really good coach, but in England it will be really, really difficult in the future and I think in every situation the most important thing is to be honest.

“To be honest with the fans, to be honest with the ambition, not to tell lies or to promise, and this is the right way for every club, because to tell good lies is not good.”

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