Everton waiting for price drop as Euro 2020 star still up for grabs
Reports in the Netherlands claim PSV Eindhoven are open to defender Denzel Dumfries leaving this summer but his price tag is proving too much for Everton to handle.
The 25-year-old has been a star across three seasons for the Rood-witten. He has made 124 appearances in all competitions, scoring 16 goals. And his exploits have not gone unnoticed on the international stage.
Having initially played for Aruba, he switched his allegiance to the Dutch and has earned 23 caps to date. The right-back was part of Frank de Boer’s Oranje side at Euro 2020 and impressed during his four outings.
He bagged a couple of goals – against Ukraine and Austria – but could not prevent Holland crashing out in the last-16. Now attention has turned back to domestic matters and where the former Sparta Rotterdam ace might next be seen. Everton hope it is at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have been linked all summer, along with Italian champions Inter Milan. It was first thought that Carlo Ancelotti’s defection to Real Madrid might end their interest.
But new manager Rafael Benitez seems just as eager to land Dunfries. However, a price of £45m is out of the Merseysiders’ reach.
That is according to Eindhovens Dagblad journalist Rik Elfrink, as per Calciomercato (via Sport Witness). He feels the club are willing to sell the full-back but main suitors Everton are in no position to close a deal.
“PSV, their management and Dumfries himself are trying to make a transfer,” they quote him as saying.
“We know that Everton are interested in him, but they have to wait because of the rules in England and the Financial Fair Play. It’s impossible for them to get a player now.”
Dumfries PSV exit seems inevitable
There is no question that the former Heerenveen star put himself in the shop window during the European Championship. And it may be that other clubs enter the picture as the summer progresses.
Two years ago Manchester United thought enough of him to consider a swoop. He remained with the Eredivisie outfit but his time in his homeland looks to be coming to an end.
Bayern Munich have also been linked. But the German giants have baulked at PSV’s asking price.
It remains to be seen if they do lower their demands for a player set to go places in the next couple of years. But Elfrink is certain that he will be leaving his present employers.
“Normally, you don’t see him in a PSV shirt anymore. If nothing materialises, at some point, he might even return to training, but I don’t really expect that,” he added.
“I expect the transfer to happen soon because Denzel already said in January that he wanted to leave, and so it can’t be a surprise.”
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