Inter: ‘Dumfries never approached by Barcelona, happy to stay with us’

Inter director of sport Piero Ausilio denies reports Barcelona made an approach for Denzel Dumfries and explains ‘the release clause was introduced during a difficult moment.’

The transfer guru was attending a gala dinner this evening and gave a lengthy interview to several different television stations about the current situation.

You can read the rest of his comments here, but he covered numerous topics.

Ausilio was asked specifically about the suggestions in Spain that Barcelona were preparing a swoop for Dumfries.

Dumfries has release clause with Inter

“No, we did not receive anything from them, there has never been anything in it. I can confirm there is a release clause, which was introduced during a difficult moment, but in my view we did well to protect the club’s heritage,” said Ausilio.

“We renewed his contract at a time when there was the genuine risk of losing him as a free agent. I can assure you that the clause scared you a lot more than it did us. Inter are relaxed and he is happy to remain.”

The release clause in the contract was unexpectedly only €20m rising to a peak of €30m, still a very low figure for a player of his calibre.

The new deal was signed in November 2024 and runs to June 2028, keeping hold of a Dutch international who first joined from PSV Eindhoven for €14.25m in the summer of 2021.

Dumfries had a very impressive campaign, contributing 11 goals and six assists in 47 competitive games between Serie A, the Champions League, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and FIFA Club World Cup.