Aston Villa ready to seal 'Outstanding' Denzel Dumfries transfer after new update

Aston Villa and Unai Emery can make a "statement" signing if they manage to secure the services of "outstanding" Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, according to Alan Hutton.

Reports from Italy have emerged suggesting that Villa have already made contact with the Dutch international's representatives ahead of a potential summer transfer to Villa Park, come the end of the season [FC Internews, 8 February].

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the 27-year-old defender whose contract with Inter Milan is due to expire at the end of next season and the Italian giants are hoping for a bidding war this summer.

While that could mean any deal to bring Dumfries to Villa Park will be expensive, Hutton has urged Emery and his team to get this deal over the line, suggesting this transfer could lay down a marker of just how Villa have progressed.

"I think he's an outstanding player," Hutton told Villa News.

"I think if he comes in it will be to play week in and week out. He can play as a wing-back, as a fullback, he's an absolute athlete.

"Physically he's very strong and he can get up and down the pitch all day long. He's got that technical ability that you grow up with when you're from the Netherlands.

"I think if Villa get somebody like that into the building, it's a statement to say where you are at this moment in time."

Can Aston Villa win the transfer race for Denzel Dumfries?

Despite being well stocked in defence currently, Villa have on occasion appeared to be short of options at right-back, with Emery switching between Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa before the Englishman picked up a recent injury.

Villa did what they could to solve that problem in the January window with the signing of Kosta Nedeljković, but the defender has immediately returned to Red Star Belgrade for the remainder of the season on loan.

Dumfries is an incredibly experienced player who has played at the highest level of both club and international football. If Villa want to take their squad to the next level this summer, this is a deal they surely have to pursue.

In other Aston Villa news, Hutton believes that Villa have boosted their Champions League hopes thanks to one returning star

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