Inter Milan Set For January Scramble As Denzel Dumfries Requires Surgery

Denzel Dumfries will undergo surgery after a persistent ankle injury, leaving Inter Milan to line up multiple replacements this January.

Denzel Dumfries Faces Lengthy Absence After Surgery

The Dutch international is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after further tests confirmed that a recent ankle injury will require surgery.

Dumfries was forced off during Inter’s 2-0 win over Lazio on November 9th and was initially expected to return in the opening stages of December.

However, the issue is far worse than the Nerazzurri believed and the 29-year-old is preparing for an operation in the coming days.

Following this surgery, Dumfries is expected to be ruled out for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign and has added further uncertainty to his future in Italy.

Questions over Dumfries’ Inter Milan career began after the Dutchman signed to a new agency, catching the eye of several sides around Europe.

The 29-year-old has already missed seven matches through injury, but Inter have managed to maintain a strong level of performance with four consecutive wins in Serie A.

Cristian Chivu’s side have climbed their way up the table and now sit in first-place following a 2-1 away victory over Genoa on December 14th.

Despite this recent success, Inter are on the hunt for a new full-back to fill the hole left by Dumfries and Chivu has already targeted a host of star names.

Inter Milan Target January Full Back Signing

The January transfer window was expected to be a quiet period for Inter Milan, as Chivu brought in a list of players in the summer and is satisfied with his current squad.

This mindset has taken a turn since Dumfries’ injury issue and the Nerazzurri are now targeting some reinforcements for the latter half of this season.

Inter have already identified two possible additions in Federico Nardin and Lorenzo Tost, with both players impressing at Roma and Empoli respectively.

Chivu has also targeted Dinamo Zagreb defender, Moris Valincic, as the Croatian defender has been a stalwart since signing from NK Istra in July.

The 23-year-old started in 11 consecutive league matches during his opening few months, before missing the last six with an ankle injury.

Valincic’s situation is vastly different to Dumfries’, as the Croatian is set to make a return before 2026 and is six-years younger than the Dutchman.

Dinamo Zagreb signed Vlacincic for just €1.35million and are willing to accept any bid around €4m this January.