Barcelona hold talks with €25 million-rated Serie A-winning defender’s agent – report | OneFootball

With the season done and dusted, FC Barcelona have already begun work on the summer transfer window to strengthen their squad before next campaign.

The centre-forward position is the priority at this point for the Blaugrana, but the sporting department, led by Deco, remain alert to opportunities on the market to reinforce other positions as well.

One such area happens to be the right-back slot, wherein there have been question marks over the performances and in turn the future of Jules Kounde.

Denzel Dumfries on the agenda

As such, FC Inter News (h/t SPORT) reports that Denzel Dumfries has once again emerged as a target for Barcelona.

The powerful right-back could leave Inter Milan permanently this summer, and his representatives are already working to find him a place at one of Europe’s top clubs.

Denzel Dumfries back on Barcelona’s agenda? (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

The Dutch international is open to listening to offers, and his new agents have already held meetings with both Liverpool and Barcelona, two clubs that had shown interest in him in the past.

Ali Barat, Dumfries’ new representative, met with Deco only a few days ago to inform him about the player’s situation. However, Barcelona are not expected to make any immediate moves while they wait for potential departures from the current squad.

Dumfries already understands that any move to Barcelona would depend heavily on a significant transfer involving Kounde.

Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for the French defender and are waiting to see what develops over the coming weeks.

Inside Barça, there is an awareness that the defender’s situation could generate substantial movement during the summer window and that multiple scenarios remain possible.

€25 million release clause

Dumfries has a release clause. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Dumfries has a release clause set at €25 million, which becomes active in July. However, the clause will only remain valid for one month, meaning that any club interested in signing him would need to complete a deal during that specific period.

Last summer, Jorge Mendes, who represented Dumfries at the time, strongly pushed for a move to Barcelona. However, the Catalans’ salary limitations prevented the club from moving forward with the transfer.

As things stand, Barcelona’s immediate priority remains reaching an agreement with Al Hilal to secure the signing of João Cancelo.

Once the Portuguese full-back, who is capable of playing on either side, is secured, the club intends to assess outgoing moves before reshaping the defensive line.

Dumfries is said to be a player appreciated by both Deco and Hansi Flick. Both believe the squad would benefit from having more physically dominant and dynamic players operating in wide areas.

Dumfries’ wages are considered manageable within Barcelona’s salary structure, but he would only become a realistic option if the club proceeds with an ambitious plan of outgoing transfers.