Dumfries ‘wanted to stay at Inter’ amid Barcelona & Aston Villa links | OneFootball

Denzel Dumfries has stayed at Inter this summer, despite once again being linked strongly away from the club, with Barcelona and Aston Villa amongst the reported suitors for the Dutchman earlier in the window.

Speaking to DAZN via TuttoMercatoWeb, Dumfries revealed that “It was always clear to me: I wanted to stay at Inter and I know the club felt the same way.” He continued, “Many have talked about a transfer but I never had any doubts. I am very happy here and I want to stay in Milan.”

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Marcus Thuram #9 and Denzel Dumfries #2 of FC Internazionale Milano battle for possession with Jhon Arias #21 of Fluminense FC during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Dumfries was a reported target of La Liga giants Barcelona earlier this summer but the Catalan side opted to remain with Jules Kounde as their starting right-back.

Dumfries talks Champions League defeat and Luis Henrique competition

Dumfries was also asked about Inter’s 2024-25 campaign, which ended in bitter disappointment as the Nerazzurri fell to a 5-0 defeat in the Champions League final to PSG. On the season, Dumfries concluded “It was difficult. We did everything we could to win as many trophies as possible. We lost to PSG after a great run but they were better that night. We are still proud of what we have achieved and now we have to build on that.”

Denzel Dumfries captains Inter against Feyenoord in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Feyenoord (picture: @inter via X).

Inter did, however, add another right-sided player to their squad this summer: signing Brazilian Luis Henrique from Marseille. Whilst more of a winger than a full-back, Henrique will no doubt compete with Dumfries for minutes. In response to this, the Dutchman said “Luis Henrique is fast, dynamic and strong. There has never been a shortage of competition here: I had it with Darmian, Cuadrado and Buchanan. It’s tough but it helps you improve and give your all for the team.”