Aston Villa will look to beat Manchester United to the signing of Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, if the club secure Champions League qualification this season.
Unai Emery wants to sign a right-back in the summer and is targeting a move for Dumfries. The Netherlands international will enter the final 12 months of his contract at Inter at the end of the season and Villa are hopeful the lure of Champions League football can persuade the 27-year-old to the Midlands.
Villa have used Ezri Konsa at full-back for large periods of the campaign with Matty Cash in and out of the side under Emery. Dumfries is viewed as an upgrade at right-back, having been an effective attacking option since arriving at Inter from PSV Eindhoven.
Dumfries formed part of the team that reached the Champions League final last season and has three goals and four assists in Serie A this season.
However, Calcio Mercato claim Villa’s interest hinges on Champions League qualification. Emery’s side are fifth in the table, behind Spurs on goal difference, having played a game more.
However, England are currently level with Germany in the race to earn one of the two additional places in next season’s competition through coefficient rankings, with both nations on 16.500. Italy are the leaders (17.714).
Dumfries, who has been a reported transfer target for Manchester United and Chelsea in recent transfer windows, is understood to have reservations over a move to Villa Park, given his ambitions to win league titles and the Champions League.
However, negotiations over a contract extension have so far failed to find a breakthrough with Inter unwilling to meet demands of €5m net per season, double his current salary. The Serie A leaders would be willing to consider transfer offers in excess of €30m if new terms are not agreed.
