Image Credits: Imago Images
At 29, Denzel Dumfries is the kind of full-back who plays like a winger.
He is physical. He overlaps all day. He attacks the back post with what has been described as “monstrous” aerial ability.
He also fits the profile of an experienced stopgap when a team needs help immediately.
That is why his name has come up in Liverpool circles this week.
The club’s right-back options have been hit hard.
Conor Bradley is ruled out for the rest of the 2025/26 season.
Jeremie Frimpong picked up a significant injury in the UEFA Champions League game against Qarabag FK in late January.
With the season moving fast, Arne Slot needs an experienced option to steady the position.
The complication is obvious too.
Dumfries has been recovering from ankle surgery since mid-November and is only just returning to full training.
Liverpool have also been cautious about committing long-term money because of that recent injury history.
Over the last 48 hours, reports from Gianluca Di Marzio suggested Liverpool held exploratory talks with Inter Milan.
It was described as an enquiry into the conditions of a deal, not a formal bid.
Liverpool reportedly preferred a loan. Inter were not interested, and would only listen to a “super offer” for a permanent move.
With a release clause estimated at €20m–€25m but not active until summer, some reports suggested Liverpool were cooling their pursuit.
Now Inter’s president Giuseppe Marotta has addressed it directly.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, he said, “Liverpool made a phone call just to ask about the Dumfries situation, but there is absolutely nothing more than that.”
“These are unplanned calls that do nothing other than destabilise a situation. He is staying with us.”
Marotta also spoke on other Inter situations, including Davide Frattesi and interest from Nottingham Forest, “As we have always said, we don’t want to hold back any player who wants to go elsewhere.”
“Frattesi has never expressed the desire to leave, of course everyone wants more playing time, but he will have the chance during the season to show what he can do,” and added, “We went into this transfer window without a sense of anxiety or with the desperate need to fill any gaps.”
“Dumfries had surgery, and we were therefore looking for an opportunity in that area of the squad, but it had to be advantageous, and we couldn’t find anyone to fit the bill.”
From a Liverpool point of view, the need is real.
But the message from Milan is clear. Dumfries is not moving.
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