Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has shut down any suggestion that Denzel Dumfries could be heading to Liverpool before the transfer deadline, insisting there is “absolutely no chance” of a move.
The attack-minded right-back, a Netherlands international alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong, had been linked with the Reds in the final days of the January window. Some reports even claimed a surprise swap deal involving Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was being discussed.
Those claims have been firmly dismissed, with Liverpool having no interest in signing Dumfries or letting Jones leave the club. Instead, the Reds shifted their focus to another Dutch defender, Lutsharel Geertruida.
Liverpool had hoped to secure Geertruida on loan before the deadline, provided agreements could be reached with both his parent club RB Leipzig and Sunderland, but that deal now appears unlikely to materialise.
A former player under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, Geertruida was viewed as an ideal reinforcement for a Liverpool defence already without the injured Frimpong and Conor Bradley, who is sidelined for the rest of the season.
His versatility also made him an attractive option, as he can operate at centre-back — an area where Liverpool are missing Giovanni Leoni through injury and continue to manage Joe Gomez’s recurring fitness concerns.
Dumfries, now 29, is renowned for his forward surges from right-back and memorably scored twice in Inter’s dramatic Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona last season. He has featured 15 times for Inter this campaign but has not played since November due to an ankle problem.
Even so, Marotta stressed Dumfries remains a key part of Inter’s plans. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Cremonense, he said: “Liverpool interested in Dumfries? Some phone calls go beyond what’s appropriate, made suddenly and only serve to create instability.
“There is absolutely no chance. Dumfries stays here with us at Inter.”
