Dumfries undergoes surgery, out until March: Inter Milan weigh his future and replacements

With Denzel Dumfries sidelined and a summer exit looming, Inter Milan begin evaluating short-term and long-term solutions on the right flank

Inter Milan will be without Denzel Dumfries until mid-March following surgery. At the same time, in a rather curious twist, the agency of Ali Barat announced the Dutchman’s inclusion in the portfolio of the powerful agent, a move that sounds like the first step toward a possible separation in the summer.

It is worth remembering that Dumfries’ contract includes a €25 million (£21.5 million) release clause valid only for foreign clubs until July 15. 

At Inter Milan, it must be said clearly, no one would lose sleep if that figure arrived for a player who will turn 30 on April 18, as Tuttosport via Fcinter1908 reports.

The Palestra dream and the hidden treasure

Paradoxically, the injury could become an opportunity to start seriously thinking about the Dutchman’s heir. 

In that sense, the ideal profile would be Marco Palestra from Buccinasco, a player destined for a future with the national team and a standout performer in a strong season with Cagliari.

The problem is that his registration belongs to Atalanta and president Giulini has no intention of letting the player go halfway through the season. 

Sporting director Ausilio has a financial cushion ranging from €20 to €24 million (£17–20.5 million), a figure that could serve as a solid base to open talks with the Percassi family. 

However, despite the excellent relationship between the clubs, as shown by the Zalewski deal, the room for maneuver for such an operation, especially in January, remains extremely limited.

The trip to Saudi Arabia will nonetheless be useful for Chivu and the club’s executives to take stock of the situation. 

At the moment, the inclination is to trust the current squad without intervening in the market, but January is notoriously long, and the schedule is completely packed until the March break.

Alternatives and the other four names on the list

Returning to the potential candidates, if Palestra would arrive with the status of both present and future starter, a name that greatly intrigues president Marotta, always enthusiastic about having more Italian players in the squad, the others appear more like calculated gambles.

First on the list is Brooke Norton-Cuffy, tested by Inter Milan just last Sunday at the Ferraris Stadium. 

Also included are Idrissa Touré of Pisa, with whom relations are excellent thanks to president Corrado, Rafik Belghali of Verona, currently involved in the Africa Cup of Nations, and Moris Valincic of Dinamo Zagreb, a talent highlighted by Inter Milan’s scouts but currently sidelined with an injury until mid-January.