Liverpool in talks with Inter Milan over Dumfries move

Liverpool have made contact with Inter Milan about the possibility of signing right-back Denzel Dumfries in the final days of the January transfer window, though sources close to the negotiations suggest a deal before Monday's deadline remains highly unlikely.

The Premier League champions find themselves in a precarious situation at right-back. Conor Bradley faces an extended spell on the sidelines, while Jeremie Frimpong is also sidelined with injury. This leaves Calvin Ramsay as the only senior option available to manager Arne Slot, with less than 72 hours remaining to address the problem before the window closes.

Dumfries, a 29-year-old Netherlands international currently at Inter Milan, has been identified as a potential solution. However, the move faces significant obstacles that make completion before Monday evening appear virtually impossible.

Background

Dumfries has established himself as a reliable performer in Italian football, bringing considerable experience from both club and international level. The defender has been linked with moves to the Premier League previously, and his profile as an experienced option caught Liverpool's attention as they scrambled to find cover for their depleted right-back department.

Inter Milan secured Dumfries as a quality asset, and the club has little incentive to part with him mid-season. The defender's market value is protected by a release clause valued at approximately €20 million to €25 million, though this clause only becomes valid in the summer transfer window, not in January.

Key Details

The Current Situation

According to reporting from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool initiated contact with Inter on Friday night. The conversation was described as a straightforward club-to-club discussion between two organizations with what Romano characterized as a "very good relationship."

During these talks, Liverpool sought information about Dumfries' availability and current injury status. The defender has been sidelined since November with an ankle injury and is expected to remain out of action for between 10 and 20 days, according to Inter's assessment.

"Liverpool had a conversation with Inter on Friday, a club-to-club conversation with Inter, very good relationship. From what I'm told, Liverpool asked about the situation of Dumfries. The release clause of around €20m-€25m is not valid in January, only in the summer."

Why a Deal Won't Happen

Several factors make a January transfer virtually impossible. First, Liverpool has not submitted any formal bid or begun serious negotiations. The initial contact was purely exploratory in nature.

Second, Liverpool's only realistic pathway to securing Dumfries would be through a loan arrangement, given that the player is currently injured and cannot provide immediate impact. Inter Milan, however, has made clear they have no interest in loaning the player out.

Third, the release clause that would make a permanent transfer easier only activates in the summer window. Any January deal would require negotiating a significantly higher fee with Inter, who have no reason to sell at this time.

Inter have also indicated they are exploring their own options if they lose players. The club is reportedly tracking alternative right-back options, including Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa, suggesting they are prepared to strengthen rather than weaken their squad.

What This Means

Liverpool's situation at right-back will likely remain unchanged through the end of January. The club appears to have decided against pursuing short-term fixes in the market, instead opting to work with their limited resources until the summer window opens.

Ramsay, the young right-back, will be called upon to step up and fill the void created by Bradley and Frimpong's absences. This represents a significant challenge for a player who has had limited opportunities to prove himself at the highest level.

The Dumfries inquiry may also represent Liverpool's thinking for the summer transfer window. If the defender recovers fully from his injury and becomes available, Liverpool could revisit the possibility when the release clause becomes active and they have more time to negotiate. For now, however, it remains nothing more than a conversation between two clubs exploring possibilities rather than a genuine attempt to conclude a deal.