Chelsea have made a €35 million (£30.8m) offer for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, according to reports in Italy. The wing-back has long been a target of the Blues after his dazzling displays in Italy and impressed during the World Cup with the Netherlands.
Graham Potter is said to be looking to add a new right-back to his squad following Reece James' injury problems this season. The Cobham graduate is currently sidelined after aggravating a knee injury in December, a problem that he first sustained in October that forced him to miss the World Cup.
A number of players have been named as potential reinforcements in the position in the January transfer window. Celtic's Josip Juranovic had been reported as a target, as has Pedro Porro and Kyle Walker-Peters, but Dumfries has persistently earned interest from Chelsea.
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According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Todd Boehly has submitted a £30.8m bid for Dumfries. However, it's expected that Inter are hoping for an increased offer in the future, with the report insisting the 19-time Italian champions will demand at least €55m (£48.4m).
Inter's stance is likely to have been affected following Chelsea's recent signing of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian was signed for £88m including add-ons from Shakhtar Donetsk, signing an eight-and-a-half-year deal worth £5m a year.
The news of Chelsea's opening bid comes after reports Manchester United had entered talks with Inter. Erik ten Hag's side have joined the Blues and Tottenham in the contested battle for the wing-back, with all three said to be keen on signing a new right-back.
Dumfries' current deal at San Siro expires in two years after joining the Italian giants in 2021 from PSV Eindhoven. The 26-year-old has made 68 appearances for Inter, with his natural ability as a wing-back producing similar traits to James'.
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