Transfer News: Chelsea to step up their interest in 26-year-old Serie A full-back

Chelsea to step up their interest to sign Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries

According to FCInterNews (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are going to step up their interest to sign Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries soon.

With the Joao Felix deal all but over the line, the report says that the Blues next target the signature of the Dutch international.

Chelsea have been linked with Dumfries for some time. It was reported last month that the club is concerned by the number of injuries Reece James has picked up in the last 12 months, hence they are looking to buy a right fullback as a backup.

Since then, the Englishman returned from his injury to play against Bournemouth on December 27 and picked up another injury that is going to keep him out for a month.

So, the concern regarding James’ availability remains. Dumfries is a similar player in profile and stature. Both players are great as a wing-back but can operate as a wide centre-back if needed.

Inter may not necessarily want to sell the Dutchman, but due to their financial constraints, they would consider a deal. A fee of around £50m has been reported in the recent past.

Dumfries had an excellent World Cup where he was a constant attacking outlet on the right-hand side and defended his area well against dangerous wingers.

If Chelsea manage to complete his signature, not only they would have two genuine top-class right wing-backs, but two players who are very good in any position in defensive wide areas on the right-hand side. Manager Graham Potter may well have an option of playing Dumfries as a right wing-back and James as a right centre-back in the same game.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea have completed the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on loan, says Romano
• Tottenham Hotspur to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Leandro Trossard
• Pep Guardiola urges Chelsea owner Todd Boehly to give Graham Potter time

We must protect James seeing the injuries he is picking up. Managing his workload is the way to go forward. Hence, signing Dumfries makes sense in a lot of ways.