Contract offer ready to hit Liverpool where it hurts | OneFootball

Liverpool are to be hit by a contract offer that ruins their plans. Where do they go from here?

Liverpool needed a right-back in January and their choice appeared to be Inter star Denzel Dumfries. The player is another Dutchman, knowing Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo very well.

But ultimately, a deal didn't go through and rightfully so. Dumfries hadn't played for months at that point, battling an injury that kept him sidelined. Not exactly the right player to quickly fill an injury void, in other words.

Liverpool, though, have reportedly retained an interest and that line has been pushed consistently in Italy. Now L'Interista reports that Inter intend to do something about it, offering Dumfries a new contract.

It's one that's designed to settle the player, boost his wages, and end Liverpool's interest. More importantly, though, they want to remove the €25m release clause in his contract as there's a belief the Reds could trigger it once the season is over.

If that's indeed the plan at Anfield, this is a contract offer that ruins that plan. Should Dumfries accept it, of course.

Denzel Dumfries: Situation Summary

Liverpool Interest and "Affordable" Clause

Reports from late February and early March 2026 suggest Liverpool have positioned themselves as frontrunners to sign the 29-year-old. While Dumfries is contracted to Inter until June 2028, a specific clause in his deal reportedly allows him to join certain clubs for a fee of €25 million (£22m) during July 2026. Liverpool's hierarchy reportedly views this as an "affordable" opportunity to secure an elite right-back, even if it deviates from their usual policy of signing younger players.

Recovery and Recent Form

Dumfries recently made his first start since November 2025 in a 1-1 draw against Atalanta on 14 March. He had been sidelined for nearly four months due to a significant ankle injury that required surgery. Before the injury, he was in elite form, being voted Serie A Right-Back of the Season for 2024/25. In the current 2025/26 campaign, he has recorded 4 goals and 2 assists across 19 appearances for club and country.

Future Outlook

While Inter is keen to keep him, they are reportedly "vulnerable" to his exit due to the release clause. Dumfries has previously stated he would be interested in a Premier League move, citing the league's intensity as a major draw. He is also a lock for the Netherlands' 2026 World Cup squad, provided he maintains his fitness following his recent return.