Manchester United and Liverpool Battle for Dumfries as Sancho Exit Looms
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly set to go head-to-head in the race to sign Inter Milan and Netherlands wing-back Denzel Dumfries this summer, while Jadon Sancho appears set for a return to Borussia Dortmund. The 28-year-old Dumfries has been a long-term target for several Premier League clubs, and fresh reports from Italy suggest Manchester United have now registered 'strong interest' in the Dutch international. Dumfries is currently with Inter Milan, where he has one year remaining on his current contract and a release clause reported to be in the region of €25m (£22m). The player is believed to be open to a new challenge, with Inter reportedly eager to tie him to an improved deal to remove the clause.
According to Italian outlet L’Interista, Manchester United are 'ready' to open talks with both Inter and the player's representatives. The report suggests United are prepared to battle Liverpool, who have also been heavily linked with the 28-year-old. Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa are also credited with interest in the powerful right-back. Dumfries, a key figure for the Netherlands at major tournaments, is seen as a player who could significantly strengthen United's right flank, an area that has been a point of weakness.
In other transfer activity, Manchester United are set to part ways with Jadon Sancho, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa. Borussia Dortmund's managing director, Lars Ricken, confirmed the German club's interest in re-signing the winger he helped develop. "We're currently looking at a lot of players and analyzing them closely," Ricken told German outlet Bild. "We check whether they can make us better. We're doing that with Jadon as well." Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg added that talks are ongoing between Sancho and Dortmund, with the player reportedly keen on a return to the club where he first made his name, though he would need to accept a significant wage cut.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are reportedly looking to spark a bidding war for their highly-rated midfielder Elliot Anderson. The 21-year-old has attracted significant interest following his impressive Premier League campaign. According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Forest are encouraging a 'bidding war' between Manchester United and Manchester City to drive up the price for the England U21 international. The club is said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £100 million for their academy graduate, with both Manchester clubs closely monitoring the situation. The high valuation reflects Anderson's status as one of the most promising young talents in the league.
