Arsenal join Chelsea in the race to sign World Cup-bound right-back

Transfer News: Arsenal join Chelsea in the race to sign Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries

In what will come as a blow to Chelsea in their pursuit of Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, rivals Arsenal have also joined the race for the defender. This is according to the Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Football. London).

The Blues were interested in the 26-year-old during the summer, but after much speculation, no move could materialise. The Dutch defender is still believed to be a key target for the west London club in January, but this time they will face competition from the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side is said to be only £5 million short of the valuation of the defender. Inter want a fee around £35 million for the Netherlands international, with the north London side not willing to spend more than £30 million.

Graham Potter wants to sign an understudy for Reece James. The 22-year-old England international has picked up an injury and subsequently is set to miss the World Cup which starts from next week.

Dumfries has been identified as a potential target for that task, but things have not been easy for the west London side. They wanted to include the Dutchman as part of a player-plus-cash swap deal for Romelu Lukaku, but the deal proved complicated.

Lukaku joined the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan last summer, while Dumfries stayed put. The 26-year-old has been a key part for Simone Inzaghi’s side this season, playing 20 games in all competitions.

It would make sense to get such an experienced player to compete with James. The Englishman has been the Blues best player so far and his absence on the pitch is clearly being felt by the club.

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• Chelsea join the race to sign Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko in January

But it won’t be easy for the Blues to land their target. With Dumfries likely to play for Netherlands in Qatar, decent performances there could shoot his price up. It remains to be seen which London side he opts for once it comes to it.