The idea that Arsenal would entertain a potential swap deal for Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming the other way scares me. Yet this is one of the suggestions that has surfaced as we approach the January transfer window.
According to Calcio Mercato Web, Arsenal ‘could put a very rich offer’ in the next summer window which would see a €65million (£56.5million) package that included Takehiro Tomiyasu subsidising €25million (£22million) in a cash-plus player deal. Now, for me, this seems rather farfetched and the idea that Mikel Arteta would have interest in a player who does not fit into the Arsenal system alone raises doubts.
Dumfries is best utilised in a wing-back role and was brought to Inter as a replacement for Achraf Hakimi, who left for PSG. Whilst not on the level of the Moroccan, Dumfries has impressed in the Netherlands and for the national team prior to his Italian move.
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For Arsenal, the right-back role occupied by both Tomiyasu and more so, this season Ben White, is a disciplined position. Both White and Tomiyasu have ventured forwards but primarily they stifle attacks of opposition left flanks with then the left-back in the team having more freedom to support the attacks.
Swapping Dumfries for Tomiyasu would be a major shock to the system and tip the scales far from an equilibrium, perhaps forcing the club to invest in a Tomiyasu-esque left-back to level the defence. Ironic considering that Tomiyasu himself has played left-back and impressed, especially against Liverpool.
Perhaps the best way to approach this hypothetical idea that Inter Milan might have an interest in Tomiyasu is to view it as a compliment to Arsenal’s ahead-of-the-curve thinking. Mikel Arteta moved away from Hector Bellerin, an offensive-minded right-back, to Tomiyasu and White.
Perhaps clubs have seen the success and believe that the wing-back system, which has won the title in Serie A and to a lesser extent the Premier League, is now outdated. There’s vindication in interest in your players, somewhat proving those behind the move right to bring the player in.
In reality, it would be a total shock to see Arteta abandon this system he has in place and invest so heavily in an option who rarely plays as a traditional right-back. This isn’t to shut down the idea that Arsenal will not benefit from having an offensive option at right-back for certain scenarios, but Dumfries just doesn’t fit the bill.
Yes, it is true that he played right-back for PSV in the Eredivisie, but his game has become much more offensive in the past year. To spend close to the figures being suggested by CMW on Dumfries is questionable, to be polite.
Arsenal have a versatile asset in Tomiyasu and no reason to sell. Meanwhile, both Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Reuell Walters are ones to watch coming through the ranks who could take on that right-back niche that might be needed in the future.
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