Dumfries to join Real Madrid: How will Inter replace Dutch defender? | OneFootball

Denzel Dumfries is set to join Real Madrid for €20m, but Inter already have a clear replacement in mind.

Atalanta’s right-back Marco Palestra has emerged as Inter’s priority target to replace Netherlands international Dumfries in the 2026-27 campaign.

Real Madrid, in fact, have agreed to match Dumfries’ €20m clause, signing the 30-year-old after five seasons at Inter.

The Netherlands international has already undergone medical tests with the Merengues while on international duty before the World Cup.

Dumfries set for Real Madrid move

Inter won the 2025-26 Serie A title under Cristian Chivu and are the favourites to replicate their victory next season, as highlighted by early predictions on Situs 888.

Despite Dumfries’ departure, in fact, the Nerazzurri maintain a solid structure on and off the pitch and already have a clear plan to replace the Dutchman, as coach Cristian Chivu recently revealed.

“You always need players to improve and, why not, send signals to the group and the environment,” Chivu told Gazzetta.

“We have everything planned; there are plans A and B for each role, but then August arrives, and anything can happen because there could be situations you don’t expect. Especially in a World Cup summer, everything can become agony.”

Dumfries will formally join Real Madrid in July, while Inter have set their sights on Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra for the new season.

The promising Italian defender had a convincing season on loan at Cagliari in 2025-26, so Atalanta will only let him leave for a fee close to €50m.

CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

“Marco Palestra is a nice profile, but he is not one of my players today, so I can’t really talk about him,” Chivu said.

“We already have many young Italian players who know what Inter mean and identify themselves with this club. This is a nice advantage and a path we want to continue following. But, obviously, we need other players too, a mix that will help us be competitive at all levels.”

Palestra’s performances with Cagliari earned him a call-up to the senior Italy national team for the first time in March 2026, but his debut was unfortunate, as the 21-year-old was part of the team that failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Palestra is contracted with Atalanta until June 2029, so it’s understood that La Dea will give Inter no discount for the promising right-back.

Inter had a successful 2025-26 campaign, winning the domestic double with the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.

In the new season, they’ll be looking to make progress in the Champions League after being eliminated in the knockout play-off by Bodo/Glimt in 2025-26.