When they want to be, Manchester City are ruthlessly efficient operators.
The entirety of football would have taken Erling Haaland after he remarkably netted 86 goals in just 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, but Manchester City were the ones to secure his signature.
Similarly, Josko Gvardiol was arguably the hottest defender on the planet in 2023, and the Citizens simply decided they could not miss out on the Croatian, stumping up £77.6m to take him from RB Leipzig.
Now, with the right-back department in need of a new face, a UEFA Champions League finalist in Inter Milan are concerned Manchester City could take Denzel Dumfries.
Inter Milan wary of Denzel Dumfries release clause
Corriere dello Sport in Italy now state that Inter Milan are worried about the €25m (£22m) release clause in the Netherlands international’s contract, which is active until July 31st.
The Italian news outlet write that it would be ‘easy’ for Manchester City to trigger the clause – which must be paid in a lump sum rather than instalments – even more so as Barcelona are unable to compete for his signature due to financial restrictions.
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Corriere dello Sport add that Dumfries – who they describe as undoubtedly the best player at Inter Milan last season – is happy at the San Siro, which suggests the Dutchman himself will not force a move away.
The Inter Milan No.2 – aged 29 – scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 47 appearances last season, which is quite an impressive return for a right-back.
Denzel Dumfries is not the No.1 choice for Manchester City
If a move for Dumfries – who Achraf Hakimi rates highly – does materialise, it would be a relief for Newcastle.
Manchester City had earmarked Tino Livramento as a signing for the right-back department after Kyle Walker left for Burnley, but the Magpies have told the Citizens that not even a sum of £165m would be enough.
Despite that stance, Manchester City are in a stronger financial position than most clubs to seriously test Newcastle’s resolve over the England international.
However, should Manchester City trigger the release clause of Dumfries, it would strongly suggest Hugo Viana has given up on Livramento.