Sources: Newcastle plotting to sign Denzel Dumfries to replace recent signing
Newcastle United are considering a summer bid for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, sources told Football Insider.
The Magpies are in the market for a new right-back this summer and have identified the 27-year-old Dutch international as a target.
Eddie Howe is eager to bring in more competition and depth on his right flank to challenge Kieran Trippier, and is urging the Newcastle board to sanction a move for Dumfries.
Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda remains Newcastle’s top target for the position, but the club are growing worried that they may have missed the chance to sign the 18-year-old Spaniard.
Football Insider sources revealed on Friday (5 May) that Borussia Dortmund are in £20million talks with Newcastle target Fresneda.
The German giants are progressing their talks with Fresneda, and Newcastle are leaning towards a move for Dumfries as opposed to trying to hijack Dortmund’s deal.
Dumfries has been a key performer for Inter this season, scoring twice and assisting six times from right-back in Simone Inzagihi’s side – he has made 43 senior appearances across all competitions, including 33 starts.
Dumfries also shone during the 2022 World Cup with the Netherlands, scoring once and assisting twice in five appearances to help his nation reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Howe was aware of Newcastle’s lack of depth at right-back in January and made a £3million move to sign exciting West Ham prospect Harrison Ashby, but the Newcastle boss does not yet view him as a starter in Tyneside.
It is understood that Howe is a big admirer of Ashby’s ability, but wants a new right-back this summer to replace Ashby’s spot in the first team in order to allow him to continue to progress behind the scenes.
In other news, Newcastle United in advanced talks over club-record Bruno Guimaraes deal