Everton sporting director Marcel Brands must have had mixed feelings as Denzel Dumfries rose like a salmon to power home the winning goal in the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 victory over Ukraine last night.
On one hand, the sporting director will have been thrilled to see his former PSV star announce himself on the international stage, justifying Everton’s interest in the rampaging right-back (Eindhoven Dagblad).
On the other, Brands would have been forgiven for wishing he’d sealed a deal for Dumfries before that five-goal thriller at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Reports coming out of Holland last week suggested it would take just £13 million to convince PSV to part with their granite-carved captain.
Now, with Dumfries playing a starring role in the most exciting game of the tournament so far, PSV would be foolish not to add another million or two to the 25-year-old’s price tag.
- ‘HOPE HE GOES TO EVERTON’: Fans think £10m star is leaving
- ‘WON’T HAPPEN’: Director refuses to sell reported £35m Everton target
Will the price rise for Euro 2020 hero and Everton target Dumfries?
The former Heerenveen and Sparta Rotterdam man was a constant threat in the Dutch capital last night.
Even before he popped up to thunder an 85th-minute winner into the Ukrainian net, Dumfries had come close twice already, missing a glorious chance at the end of the first half from a similar position.
But PSV’s swashbuckling skipper never let his head drop for a second, a place in Dutch football folklore a fitting reward for a man who, despite starting at right-back, spent most of the game racing into the visitors’ penalty area at breakneck speed.
After such a stellar display on the biggest of stages, Dumfries would be welcomed with open arms at Goodison Park, not just by Brands but by everyone on Gwladys Street.
Here’s what some Everton fans had to say on Twitter about the situation:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
