Arne Slot has reportedly given the green light for Liverpool to revive their interest in Denzel Dumfries, with the Dutch international available for a bargain fee this summer.
After a season that has fallen well short of expectations, Liverpool are ready to overhaul their squad and one of the priority positions is right-back. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the man at the top of Arne Slot’s wishlist is his compatriot, Denzel Dumfries, and the feeling is mutual. Romano revealed the Dutch manager has a “very good feeling” about the 30-year-old Inter Milan defender, confirming that Liverpool are a team to “keep an eye on” in this pursuit.
The Perfect Storm at Right-Back
Liverpool’s right-back situation has been a recurring nightmare this season. Jeremie Frimpong was brought in for £29 million to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, but has struggled with injuries and adapting to a deeper defensive role. Meanwhile, Conor Bradley has been sidelined until nearly the end of 2026, leaving Slot to deploy midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez as emergency cover.
This has led the club to seriously reconsider their options, and Dumfries has emerged as the perfect solution. Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that the Reds had already tried to sign him on loan in January, but the move collapsed due to an injury to the player and Inter’s refusal to do a temporary deal. However, the chase is back on for the summer window.
A Price Too Good to Ignore
Here is the real headline: the price. According to multiple reports, Dumfries has a release clause in his Inter contract worth £21 million. Some sources even suggest that Inter may be willing to accept a fee as low as £17.3 million due to the clause’s expiration and the player’s desire to move to the Premier League.
“Denzel Dumfries is a hot topic for the summer. He has a release clause active in the summer, so that opens up the market potential,” Romano said. For a player with over 400 club appearances and a regular starter for the Netherlands, this represents incredible value in today’s inflated market.
What Dumfries Brings to Anfield
Dumfries is a physically dominant, relentless force down the right flank. He has five goals this season and scored 11 last term, offering a robust attacking outlet. While Frimpong is seen as a winger in Slot’s system, Dumfries would be the first-choice right-back, allowing Frimpong to be pushed further up the pitch—a tactical shift that could also help compensate for the eventual departure of Mohamed Salah.
Crucially, Dumfries already starts ahead of Frimpong for the national team, establishing a clear hierarchy that Slot could implement immediately at club level as well.
The Complication: Inter’s Fight to Keep Him
Naturally, there is a catch. Inter Milan are determined not to lose their star defender for such a cheap fee. Italian media report that the Nerazzurri are desperately trying to tie Dumfries down to a new contract that would remove the release clause entirely, raising his salary to around €5 million per season. However, with the clause active and Dumfries reportedly keen to finally test himself in the Premier League, Liverpool hold the cards.
Verdict: The Steal of the Summer?
Signing an experienced, Dutch international captain for £21 million during a summer of heavy spending is a no-brainer. With Champions League football secured but a title challenge to rebuild, Liverpool need stability. Dumfries provides that in spades.
As Romano summarized: “He’s certainly a player highly rated by the manager, Arne Slot. There’s a very good feeling there.” If Liverpool pull this off, it will be remembered as one of the most astute pieces of business in the Premier League this summer.