Arsenal are being tipped to beat London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham to the signing of Inter star Denzel Dumfries if they include Takehiro Tomiyasu in the deal. Dumfries has impressed with the Netherlands at the World Cup and was the star of the show in their last-16 victory against the USMNT.
The wing-back further showcased his known attacking prowess with two perfectly-weighted crosses which were finished by Memphis Depay and Daley Blind in the first half of their 3-1 win. Haji Wright pulled one back for the USA but Dumfries re-established his country's two goal lead guiding in Blind's cross with just under 10 minutes to play.
Chelsea have been one of the clubs heavily linked with Dumfries as they seek to find a Reece James alternative with the Englishman suffering several long-term injury problems over the last few seasons. Dumfries was asked about the links to Stamford Bridge following the win for the Netherlands, but he insisted his focus was only on two teams.
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Speaking after his Man of the Match performance, Dumfries said: "Of course it’s a big compliment to be linked with Chelsea, but playing for Inter it’s big compliment too. Chelsea move in January? I’m focused on nothing else but national team and Inter."
Tottenham have also been linked with Dumfries with Antonio Conte possible seeking a reunion with his former player who starred in Inter's Scudetto-winning season under the Italian.
The Blues seem to be the leaders in the Dumfries transfer race but that may change following a new report that involves a potential proposal Arsenal are lining up which would involve a hefty fee and the shock departure of Tomiyasu
CMW are reporting that the Japanese international, who only arrived in north London in the summer of 2021, would be included in the deal with the Gunners prepared to pay the asking price of €40million (£34.5million) and send Tomiyasu back to Serie A.
The inclusion of Tomiyasu seems baffling as the 24-year-old has been a consistent feature in the Arsenal first team, making 17 appearances in all competitions this season. In his first campaign Tomiyasu played at right-back, but has mostly been deployed at left-back in the last few months, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney each suffering some injury issues that have kept them out of the team.
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