Chelsea are keen admirers of Inter Milan’s marauding wing-back Denzel Dumfries, who is enjoying a prolific World Cup tournament with the Netherlands. 

What’s the word?

With Dumfries continuing to earn plaudits for his aggressive and frontal-thinking approach, the likes of the Blues and Manchester United continue to be enamoured with his unique skill set. 

And now Calciomercato are reporting that Inter would be reluctant to decline an offer of £43m, with add-ons taking the deal past £50m, which paves the way for Chelsea to make their move and bring in competition for the injury-stricken Reece James.

With the Blues’ interest stretching back to the summer, the scouting department have clearly completed their homework, and a move might just materialise in the coming months. 

Azpilicueta heir

The reports from Italy state that Dumfries is completely content with remaining in the country until the end of the current campaign, at the earliest, but the winds can change quickly in football; should the London giants table a bid, that stance might be shattered. 

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has not had an easy ride since arriving at the club from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this season, but his philosophy is arresting and implementing the tactical blueprint successfully would yield exceptional results at Stamford Bridge.

Offensive, positive full-backs are integral to this system, as evidenced with the Seagulls, and Dumfries would add a direct impact on the forward affairs, offering James respite when required.

He would be the perfect Cesar Azpilicueta heir, with the iconic Chelsea man nearing the end of his illustrious stay at the club at 33 years old and out of contract at the end of next season. 

Azpilicueta, for all his technical excellence, approaches the dreaded slide from the peak of a footballer’s game, and Dumfries, 26, can take his seat, with James, an ever-blossoming figure at the club, maturing and developing into a towering presence. 

Dumfries will be looking to replicate his performance against the USA that sent Netherlands to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, where he recorded a goal and two assists during the 3-1 victory, hoping to continue to catch the eye of prospective suitors. 

His efforts earned him an 8.6 rating on Sofascore, with his three tackles, two clearances, and one interception also illuminating a defensive aptitude that rounds off a refined and devastating arsenal. 

As per FBref, the statistics surrounding the "terror" of Dumfries' offensive prowess are quite remarkable, ranking him within the top 3% for rate of goals scored, top 35 for progressive passes received and top percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area. 

His influence on the game is immense, and his direct frontal assaults on opposing backlines are often capable of breaking any barricades erected before him and providing a dimension to attack that many teams cannot boast. 

Chelsea will have to look at doubling the fee they considered for the player this summer, but it would be worth it, with James now an eminent full-back on the European stage, Dumfries can take Azpilicueta’s place and bolster Chelsea’s forward plans.