Man Utd target fuels transfer speculation as he stalls on new contract - report

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries.

According to The Athletic, the Netherlands international has put contract negotiations with Inter on hold, putting the reigning Serie A champions in a precarious position.

Dumfries’s contract at the San Siro has just one year left. The Nerazzurri are eager to tie him to a new deal and secure his long-term future. However, Dumfries appears to have other ideas.

The 28-year-old played a key role in Inter’s title-winning campaign, returning four goals and four assists in 31 Serie A appearances.

He now has his heart set on a move to the Premier League, with Man United emerging as his preferred destination.

The Red Devils are known admirers of the Dutchman, and their interest has complicated Inter’s efforts to tie him down to a new contract.

Dumfries has reportedly put contract negotiations with Inter on hold until the end of the transfer window as he assesses potential exit options this summer.

Intermediaries have floated the idea of a swap deal involving Dumfries and Man United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

However, the Red Devils would prefer to sell Wan-Bissaka to West Ham United first before exploring other options.

Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui remains Man United’s primary target in the right-back position.

A move for Dumfries would only be actionable if Wan-Bissaka turns down West Ham’s offer, but Man United seem to have cooled their interest in the former PSV Eindhoven ace.

West Ham are closing in on a move for Wan-Bissaka and already have an agreement in principle with Man United, but the player hasn’t given them the green light to finalise the transfer.

The former Crystal Palace defender reportedly favours a move to Inter because they can offer Champions League football. It will be intriguing to see how the transfer merry-go-round unfolds.

Stats from Sofascore.com.