‘Man City sources respond to Denzel Dumfries links after Kyle Walker exit’
Kyle Walker’s summer move to Burnley has prompted links between Man City and Inter Milan’s talented Denzel Dumfries and club sources have now responded.
Pep Guardiola is now without a senior right-back at the club ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, with Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes sharing responsibility in the position last season.
The Citizens’ defence was often lacking during the 2024/25 campaign, with the club being knocked out of the Carabao Cup and Champions League at early stages, as well as facing a battle for a top-five finish.
Supporters became frustrated with Guardiola throughout the season, but with Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri all signed, they are beginning to believe in the Catalan again.
However, the right-back spot remains a concern ahead of next season, and while Dumfries’ £25million release clause is set to expire in mid-July [Gazzetta dello Sport], City appear to have already decided on the transfer.
Man City’s verdict on Denzel Dumfries transfer emerges
According to The Athletic (8 July), right-back remains an area of need for the Citizens, though sources at the club have revealed that links with Dumfries are wide of the mark this summer.
Guardiola is now without Walker, who has joined Burnley on a £5million [Sky Sports], understood to be saving the Citizens £10m worth in wages on the England international.
Pep Guardiola continues squad overhaul after Club World Cup
Football Insider verdict
After such a disappointing 2024/25 season at the Etihad Stadium, winning no silverware, Guardiola will be keen to avoid a repeat, and that is obvious through City’s transfer business so far.
Dumfries would be the perfect full-back to be deployed on the opposite side to Ait-Nouri, with Reijnders and Cherki also joining ahead of the Club World Cup in America.
Given the number of exciting signings made already, there will need to be several outgoings, and that is exactly why Jack Grealish was allowed to stay at home after failing to play enough minutes last term.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle United remain interested in Grealish, and the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Nico Gonzalez, Ilkay Gundogan, and James McAtee could all join him out the exit doors.
Liverpool and Arsenal have already made some serious signings ahead of next season, with all three likely to battle for the Premier League title, and possibly the Champions League.
Being unable to win silverware was an unknown for the manager until the last campaign, and given how it felt for all involved in Manchester, Guardiola will be desperate to avoid a repeat.