In a stunning twist amid the frantic final days of the winter transfer window, Liverpool have been actively pursuing reinforcements for their right-back position, with TEAMtalk exclusively revealing that the Reds made a bold enquiry for Inter Milan’s Dutch powerhouse, Denzel Dumfries. As Arne Slot grapples with injury woes in his defensive ranks, this move underscores the club’s determination to bolster their squad before the deadline slams shut.
Sources close to the negotiations confirm that Liverpool initiated discussions with Inter Milan in the past week, probing the availability of the 29-year-old defender. These high-level talks weren’t one-sided; Inter cheekily countered by expressing interest in Liverpool’s midfield dynamo, Curtis Jones. However, the Reds swiftly shut down that approach, making it clear that Jones is not for sale.
Liverpool’s proposal for Dumfries was pragmatic yet ambitious: a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season. While Inter briefly mulled over the idea internally, they ultimately deemed it unworkable at this late juncture. The Nerazzurri’s response was a resounding ‘no’, mirroring Liverpool’s firm stance on Jones. This rejection has effectively closed the door on Dumfries for now, leaving Slot to pivot to other options.
The urgency stems from a mounting injury crisis at Anfield. Key right-back options Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are currently sidelined, alongside versatile defender Joe Gomez, forcing Slot to improvise. In recent matches, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has admirably filled in at right-back, but Liverpool are keen to avoid relying on such makeshift solutions long-term.
Dumfries wasn’t the only name on Liverpool’s radar. The club also engaged in talks for Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida, who is currently on loan at Sunderland. Despite promising negotiations, the deal fell through, collapsing without a resolution. With Geertruida off the table, Slot’s team has been scouring the market for viable alternatives, but insiders admit that securing a new right-back before the window closes remains “unlikely but not impossible.”
Looking ahead, Liverpool are not entirely empty-handed. The Reds are on the verge of sealing a deal for Rennes’ highly-rated young centre-back, Jeremy Jacquet. The 18-year-old talent is set to complete his medical on Monday, with the transfer formalized for a summer switch to Anfield. This move signals Liverpool’s forward-thinking approach, investing in youth to build for the future.
Additionally, Bayern Munich’s French defender Dayot Upamecano continues to linger on Liverpool’s shortlist, though any pursuit there would likely be deferred to the summer window unless a dramatic opportunity arises.
As the clock ticks down, Liverpool’s transfer team remains vigilant, monitoring last-minute developments across Europe. If no deadline-day miracle materializes, Slot may have to navigate the remainder of the season with his current squad depth, potentially leaning on Szoboszlai’s versatility once more.
This revelation highlights the cutthroat nature of the transfer market, where even blockbuster enquiries can hit dead ends. For Liverpool fans, it’s a mix of frustration and optimism—Dumfries may be out of reach for now, but with talents like Jacquet incoming and eyes on stars like Upamecano, brighter days could be on the horizon at Anfield. Stay tuned as the window’s final hours unfold
