
Aston Villa
Premier League • England
Aston Villa make first move for Man Utd, Chelsea defensive target as Unai Emery initiates contact

Aston Villa have made contact regarding the signing of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, according to a report in Italy.
Dumfries seems to be someone who could leave Inter this summer, which has already prompted links with the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea. Both of those Premier League clubs have been eyeing reinforcements at right-back.
TEAMtalk was told earlier this month that Dumfries is one of three Dutch names on Man Utd’s shortlist. However, an update from Italy has now revealed that Aston Villa may have stolen a march on them.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Unai Emery’s side have made contact for Dumfries. Currently, they are reliant on Matty Cash and Ashley Young at right-back.
The former is currently injured, though, while the latter will be out of contract at the end of the season. Therefore, the ambitious Villa are looking for new options in the role.
Dumfries has ended up on their radar and is one of the main options they are supposedly considering.
Despite some inconsistent form for Inter, Dumfries retains a good reputation. With his contract due to expire in 2025, he could be in line for a premature exit from San Siro, though.
The report does not mention how much Villa might have to pay in order to sign Dumfries. But as things stand, TMW senses that they are more serious than either Man Utd or Chelsea in the race for the Netherlands international.
Aston Villa become destination to consider for Dumfries
Indeed, links with Chelsea have already been growing quieter ever since the Blues lined up the signing of Malo Gusto from Lyon in January.
Now, Villa’s need could be greater. And their form under Emery in 2023 has put them in contention to finish above Chelsea anyway – and potentially in the European qualification places. It would be the first time since 2010 that they earned the right to play in a UEFA competition (not that they can get carried away just yet).
For the next phase of their growing project, they could try to attract a player of international pedigree to Villa Park.
During his career so far, Dumfries has played for Sparta Rotterdam, Heerenveen, PSV Eindhoven and Inter. A move to Villa would give him his first taste of Premier League football.
It might not be exactly how he was expecting to earn it, but there is plenty to get excited about regarding Aston Villa at the moment. Therefore, as long as he receives assurances he would be the first choice in his position ahead of Cash, Dumfries might want to consider the destination.