PSV Eindhoven's Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries acknowledges supporters at the end of the UEFA Europa League Group D football match between Sporting CP and PSV Eindhoven at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, on November 28, 2019. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal targeting Denzel Dumfries as summer signing

Mar 17, 2020

Arsenal are targeting 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven right-back Denzel Dumfries as a summer signing, according to reports in Spain.

PSV's Denzel Dumfries celebrates after scoring a goal during the Dutch Eredivisie match PSV vs Willem II in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on February 8, 2020. (Photo by Maurice van STEEN / ANP / AFP via Getty Images) — PSV’s Denzel Dumfries celebrates after scoring a goal during the Dutch Eredivisie match PSV vs Willem II in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on February 8, 2020. (Photo by Maurice van STEEN / ANP / AFP via Getty Images)

Kike Marin reports that Denzel Dumfries is one of the transfer targets for Arsenal ahead of next season. Dumfries currently plays in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, where he has a contract until 2023.

The player is up to 40 appearances for PSV in all competitions this season. He only missed 143 minutes of club football in the entire campaign before the league’s suspension. Despite playing at right-back, he scored eight goals and assisted four.

Dumfries also features with the Netherlands national team fairly regularly. He made his debut in October 2018 and is up to nine caps so far.

The full-back joined up with the squad for all three international breaks this season, though he only made two appearances in six fixtures, so he isn’t a guaranteed starter.

Marin also suggested Arsenal were looking to the Eredivisie for a Hector Bellerin replacement last January, after the right-back’s ACL injury. At the time, he didn’t name a specific player, though many guessed he meant Dumfries.

The 6’2″ defender is unsurprisingly strong in the air, making him a set-piece threat. He’s good going forward, though there are still some question marks around his defending.

Obviously, Arsenal need to sort out what they’re doing with Cedric Soares first. If they’re keeping him and Bellerin, there are other positions to address first. If not, signing a right-back does become a bit of a priority.