Reports have alleged that Manchester United will be drawn into a bidding war to sign Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are the other interested parties. But where is the truth?
In recent months, it has been said that United are in the market for a right-back. Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his chances to compete with Diogo Dalot with Aaron Wan-Bissaka regarded as surplus to requirements, despite a recent foray into the wing.
A quote from the Italian journalist Marco Barzaghi has circulated today through the media:
“A bidding war is not ruled out with Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, who could offer the Moroccan winger Mazraoui as a counterpart.
“Tottenham is also in the player and could offer Emerson Royal.”
The extent to which United will be involved in such a bidding war is minimal.
With the Glazer family putting the club up for sale and looking for a full acquisition by spring, there’s little chance they’ll care about choosing now as the right time to invest. The club’s bank balance stands at just £24m.
United had already been interested in signing Dumfries during the summer window, so making those ties now is perhaps a presentable option. The club’s recruitment strategy last summer revolved around Ten Hag and consequently players connected to the Netherlands were linked or signed by the club.
Fabrizio Romano recently stated that United were “chasing” Dumfries but that a deal is unlikely to be reached at this point.
With a zero transfer budget for January, United are only interested in loans. Inter’s desired figure for Dumfries will be close to £50m, which effectively excludes United from any such “bidding war” in one move.
A striker has been determined as a priority, and more than likely the only possible position to be signed this month, by Ten Hag with Anthony Martial the only senior forward option currently at the club.
Chelsea are well positioned to sign Dumfries given Reece James’ injury struggles and Todd Boehly’s willingness to spend heavily.
Although Ten Hag will undoubtedly look for more options at right-back, January is almost certainly not the month to complete such a transfer.
