Everton will need to move quickly to sign Denzel Dumfries, with Inter Milan now leading the race for his signature.
That’s according to De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen, who says they have ‘ousted’ Everton as the club in pole position for his signature.
Dumfries is widely expected to leave PSV Eindhoven this summer, with Everton named as one of his suitors before the European Championships.
Inter Milan joined the list during the tournament as the full-back seriously impressed with the Netherlands, and have continued to be linked as they look to replace Achraf Hakimi, who is joining Paris Saint Germain.
A straight race between them and Everton is likely to go in their favour given they can offer Champions League football and won Serie A last season.
And it seems they are winning the race at this moment in time, with Mino Raiola preferring the Italians for his client.
“I think I know more or less, yes,” Driessen told Veronica Inside’s De Oranjezomer, relayed by Voetbal Primeur.
“Everton simply had the best papers. Only you have to have money to get someone. And Raiola is, of course, close with Inter.
“What I understood, Dumfries would be on his way to Inter with Raiola now. As we speak.
“Inter have the best papers to bring him in. They have sold Achraf Hakimi, so they are really looking for a right-back. It’s a bit of a similar type.
“Raiola is going to cash in big on that. He was sent off with fifteen million. Everything that comes above that is split. That’s just like with Berghuis and Pogba. He walks in whistling if he wasn’t already in.”
The positive news is that neither Inter Milan nor Everton have made a bid yet, according to Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink.
He says that Dumfries visited Raiola in Monaco last week to discuss his next move, but PSV are yet to receive an offer for him.
When they do, it will have a ‘European Championship bonus’ due to his impressive performances at the tournament.
Perhaps, then, Marcel Brands would be wise to stump up the cash, make his move and use his relationship with Raiola, who is also his agent, to get Everton back in front before they miss out on a potential bargain.
