Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries... if he can engineer an exit for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Ten Hag is building his squad for the new Premier League season and it's unclear if Wan-Bissaka, 24, will be part of it. The right-back lost his spot to Diogo Dalot last term and is struggling to regain it with the latter starting all four of their pre-season friendlies.
United signed Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in a £50million deal three years ago and it's believed he could return to the London club on a season-long loan. He's played 126 games for the Red Devils but only 26 of those came during the 2021/22 campaign.
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, Ten Hag is a big fan of Dumfries. The Netherlands international, 26, started his career in his homeland, playing against Ten Hag's Ajax several times before joining Inter in a €15m (£12.75m) deal 12 months ago.
Inter reportedly value Dumfries at €40m (£34m), which would see them make a substantial profit. It's claimed United are 'ready to make and offer' if Wan-Bissaka leaves Old Trafford and playing under compatriot Ten Hag is something that appeals to Dumfries.
Other Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in the right-back due to his 'timing and physicality', including Chelsea. It's thought the Blues discussed the idea of signing Dumfries during Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter on loan earlier this summer.
Do you think Aaron Wan-Bissaka should leave Manchester United this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
Dumfries has impressed during his time in Milan, making 45 appearances in all competitions to help Inter win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana last season. He has won 35 senior caps for the Netherlands since making his debut four years ago.
Before moving to Italy, Dumfries represented Dutch clubs Sparta Rotterdam, Heerenveen and PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie. He made more than 150 appearances in the competition and was named in the Team of the Year for the 2018/19 campaign. PSV finished twice behind Ten Hag's Ajax in the Eredivisie during Dumfries' time in Eindhoven.
There's been a lot of speculation about Wan-Bissaka's future since Ten Hag was confirmed as United's new manager in April. Rumours in June suggested the Dutchman was happy to sell the player but it's believed he's now willing to give him a chance.
That opportunity is pre-season and Wan-Bissaka will need to impress soon if he's to be part of Ten Hag's plans. The former England international was introduced in the 67th minute of United's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday.
Ten Hag's predecessor Ralf Rangnick suggested United would need to sign up to 10 new players this summer, but they've agreed deals for just three so far - Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez. Frenkie de Jong and Antony remain on their radar.
Ten Hag has suggested he wants to work with the existing talent at Old Trafford instead of investing heavily, which could see Wan-Bissaka remain part of his plans. "The season before, this squad was second in the league, so there is huge potential," he said in May.
