Dan Bardell claims that Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries is not the kind of player Unai Emery would sign, hence Aston Villa is unlikely to sign him.
It follows on the heels of a February 8 online report by FC Inter News that stated Villa had chosen to “test the water” with the Dutch international after corresponding with his agent regarding a summer transfer to Villa Park.
It further stated that although the 27-year-old right-back’s contract is set to expire in 2025, the Serie A powerhouses have been settling contracts with a number of their players.
Bardell is of the opinion that the Villans will eventually acquire a new right-back to challenge Matty Cash, though he is skeptical that Dumfries will be that player.
“Right-back is probably the only position under Emery where Villa haven’t brought anyone in yet other than the youngster they signed from Red Star Belgrade in January,” Bardell stated in an exclusive interview with Villa News.
A player named Dumfries has previously been connected to Villa. How much would be in there is unknown to me. I could be wrong, but that doesn’t seem like an Emery-type signing to me.
“Although I don’t follow much Italian football, he’s one of those players that you always notice for Holland because of his excellent attacking play during the World Cup and European Championships.
“I believe Emery prefers the left-back to be the one who goes forward, and Konsa is evidence of his preference for a more defensive right-back.
Villa will eventually get a right-back, but I don’t believe it will be to take Matty Cash’s place—rather, I believe it will be to compete with him. However, I’m not sure about that one regarding Dumfries.
Probably, Aston Villa will sign a new right-back.
Villa will probably sign a new right-back since, as Bardell has noted, the team has been identifying candidates in this position for the previous few months.
In the January transfer window, they acquired Kosta Nedeljkovic from Red Star Belgrade, and the 18-year-old may wind up becoming the role’s long-term successor at Villa Park.
However, as they attempt to bolster their defensive options, there’s a fair chance a more experienced player will eventually enter the game and push first-choice fullback Cash for a starting position.
