Official: Replacing James, Chelsea decide to use the ‘Golden Key’ to sign ‘Lahm 2.0’

 Denzel Dumfries, a defender currently playing for Inter, has reportedly caught Chelsea’s attention. The Dutchman might play a similar position at Stamford Bridge to Reece James, who has been compared to him.

The Netherlands international has joined the Wasserman agency in an effort to push through a summer transfer, Fabrizio Romano disclosed earlier this week. The player would like to join the Premier League. Romano announced it earlier in the week.

Romano mentions the recent interest shown by Manchester United and Chelsea, but he also suggests that the 26-year-old player will face stiff competition this summer.

The versatile defender had a prior asking price of €60 million (£53 million), but with the investment made at Stamford Bridge since Todd Boehly’s arrival, this would be a drop in the bucket for the Blues if they opted to renew their interest in Dumfries this summer. The versatile defender has a price tag on his head that Inter has previously set.

Malo Gusto was signed from Lyon during the January transfer window to compete with James long-term at Stamford Bridge, but both players have missed time this season due to injury, raising the possibility that Graham Potter is still hunting for a more reliable defensive alternative.

Gusto was out after suffering a hamstring injury while on loan at Ligue 1; his last game came in the first week of February. Due to a number of injuries, James has only been able to participate in 12 Premier League games.

So, it is easy to comprehend why Boehly may be drawn to a player like Dumfries. It is understandable that Boehly would seek a player like Dumfries given that he has been a reliable force in Inter’s defense line thus far this season, notching one goal and three assists in 24 Serie A appearances.