Chelsea in talks with Inter over Denzel Dumfries

Chelsea are interested in Inter right-back Denzel Dumfries and have held talks with the Serie A side over a possible move.

The Blues are looking to bolster their defence and will want a new right-back to compete with Reece James for minutes, especially as Cesar Azpilicueta continues to focus on a move to Barcelona.

A possible move for the 26-year-old Dutchman, who only joined Inter for around £12.5m last summer, has been negotiated.

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi wants Dumfries to stay, but the Nerazzurri boss is ready to approve his departure to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. Club officials have been planning a massive departure and hope to move Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain, but talks with the Ligue 1 side have stalled.

As such, Inter are reluctantly ready to sell Dumfries, but they have warned Chelsea that it will cost €40m (£33.5m) to convince them to do so.

No further progress has been made in negotiations at the moment, and it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will offer such a fee for a player who is likely to spend most of his time on James’ back-up.

The Blues’ interest in a new full-back is by no means a sign that confidence in James has been shaken, with the 22-year-old expected to secure a lucrative new contract that will see him receive a huge pay rise.

James’ current contract runs until 2025, but he remains one of the team’s lowest-paid players, and Chelsea are well aware that his rise as one of England’s top defenders is not just worth a handsome reward