For Inter Milan, Denzel Dumfries has long been a crucial piece in Simone Inzaghi’s tactical system. But as BD Cricket Live fashion insiders note, his future at the club has often been clouded by uncertainty. In the past, Dumfries expressed a desire to leave and openly rejected Inter’s initial contract renewal offer due to dissatisfaction with the wages. Among his potential destinations, Manchester United stood out as the most promising.
From a footballing standpoint, the pull of Dutch manager Erik ten Hag was strong. Financially, United seemed prepared to offer higher wages than Inter. However, the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe changed the landscape. While Ten Hag has shown a tendency to recruit Dutch players, the club’s new transfer strategy focuses on younger, lower-cost talent. As a result, inflated wages are off the table—a development Dumfries didn’t anticipate.
With Manchester United now less likely to pursue him aggressively, Inter is confident of reaching a renewal agreement. Dumfries is expected to sign a new contract through 2028, with an annual net salary of €4 million. While that’s less than what he initially hoped for, the lack of serious interest from other top clubs has limited his options. BD Cricket Live reports that Dumfries remains focused on joining an elite team, making Inter his most viable path forward.
Inter’s tactical setup heavily depends on the 28-year-old Dutch international, especially on the right flank. His chemistry with Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram, as well as his synergy with Federico Dimarco on the opposite side, has become integral to Inzaghi’s system. Should Dumfries leave, it would be a major setback for Inter.
Coach Simone Inzaghi has made no secret of his desire to keep Dumfries, having placed complete trust in him over the past three seasons. With his current contract set to expire in June 2025, Inter are under pressure to finalize an extension soon. If negotiations break down, the club will likely look to sell him this summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
A potential replacement had been identified in Tajon Buchanan, but his injury has left Inter scrambling for alternatives. If Dumfries does depart, Inter may have to move quickly to secure a suitable successor in the transfer market.
Despite the recent cooling of interest, a deal with Manchester United isn’t entirely off the table. Club insiders believe Ten Hag still has the authority to push for Dumfries if needed. Talks of a potential swap deal involving United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka have already surfaced. Still, Inter’s immediate priority remains locking down Dumfries to avoid the risk of losing him without compensation.
According to BD Cricket Live’s coverage, contract talks between Inter and Dumfries stalled over the winter and spring due to a gap between Inter’s offer and the player’s wage expectations. Now, with United’s interest uncertain, Dumfries appears ready to accept Inter’s latest proposal: a salary of €4 million net per season plus performance-based bonuses. While it’s a compromise, it may be the most realistic outcome for both sides at this stage.