Manchester United leapfrog Chelsea in the race for 26-year-old Dutch international

Manchester United leapfrog Chelsea in the race for Denzel Dumfries

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Football.London), Manchester United have leapfrogged rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries.

Although the Italian side are yet to receive a proposal from either club, the recent injury to United right-back Diogo Dalot could prompt them to sign the Dutch international in the January window.

United have had an interest in the 26-year-old in the past too, along with Everton. Chelsea have been linked with him for the last few months as well.

During the World Cup, Football.London reported that while Inter are not willing to sell Dumfries, their financial condition could force them to part ways with him if a good offer comes. The price tag of £50m was slapped given strong interest from the Blues.

The report also suggested that the club is concerned by the number of injuries Reece James has picked up in the last year or so.

The England international was out for a considerable period in the middle of last season. He then picked up a knee injury against AC Milan in October which forced him to miss the World Cup. Upon his return to the Bournemouth game on December 27, the defender picked up another injury that has set him back till the end of this month.

So, the concern regarding the availability of James is genuine. Moreover, Dumfries is quite similar in player profile to the Englishman. The former PSV Eindhoven player is most comfortable playing as a right wing-back and creating chances from wide areas while being prudent defensively.

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Even if both James and Dumfries are fit, Graham Potter can play the former as a right-sided centre-back and the latter as a wing-back. That would be some right-hand side for Chelsea. Hence, it makes a lot of sense for the Blues to stay in the race and beat Manchester United for the Inter player.