Aston Villa could pull plug on Denzel Dumfries signing after what doctor notices
Aston Villa are reportedly keen on Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries this summer.
Unai Emery’s side narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season and are looking to strengthen different areas of the pitch to finish in the top four in the 2025/26 campaign.
Matty Cash has been the go-to right-back for the Villans, but they’re looking for an upgrade on him.
Dumfries, 29, a Serie A winner and two-time Champions League finalist, certainly fits that bill for Unai Emery’s side.
This story includes exclusive opinion from injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist.
Aston Villa may gauge Dumfries hamstring injury
Aston Villa want to sign Dumfries this summer, but they may decide against it due to his hamstring issues from last season, according to Dr Brar.
The Netherlands international missed 12 games in all competitions last season due to hamstring and muscle injury woes and another one because of a fever.
If Villa decide to go ahead with the signing, they may have to trigger his release clause of £21.6million. (Fabrizio Romano, 21 July)
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Inter | 179 | 22 | 26 |
| PSV Eindhoven | 124 | 16 | 20 |
| Sparta R. | 72 | 2 | 5 |
| Heerenveen | 37 | 4 | 8 |
Discussing his fitness, Dr Brar told Villa News: “Villa may take a closer look at his recent hamstring injury to assess for recurrence risk, particularly if the listed muscle fatigue was also associated with the hamstring.
“If that is the case, they may decide against signing him as other factors, such as his adaptation to life in the UK, will also need to be taken into consideration.
“It’s never ideal when a player misses multiple games at different instances in a season due to fitness woes.”
- Read more: Matty Cash may be on his way out this summer
Villa must avoid signing Dumfries
Aston Villa should avoid signing Dumfries due to his recurring fitness issues and age, as he’s 29 and potentially past his peak, with a history of injuries disrupting his consistency.
His price tag and high salary demands also pose financial risks.
Instead, Villa should target a younger right-back who offers long-term potential, aligning with Emery’s squad-building vision for sustained Premier League success.
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