Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 12:31 PM• Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk • Last update: 13:01

PSV is taking into account a summer departure of Denzel Dumfries and Donyell Malen. The defender and attacker enjoyed the necessary interest well before the start of the European Championship and that will only have increased during the European tournament. In Eindhoven, the departure of the the Dutch internationals has been taken into account for some time now. “It has been clear to me for some time that Donyell and Denzel are likely to leave,” said trainer Roger Schmidt in conversation with the NOS.

“Actually last summer already. I also take it into account and if they stay anyway, that’s great. But we have to prepare ourselves that next season we will have to play without both.” It is no surprise to Schmidt. “That’s how it goes in football, especially at PSV, we lose one or two good players every year.” The 24-year-old Dumfries contract continues for two more seasons. Malen, two years younger, is on the payroll for one year longer. Technical manager John de Jong can therefore ask for the top prize for the two.

Dumfries has been linked with Everton, AC Milan and Bayern Munich in recent weeks, while Malen has been in the picture at Borussia Dortmund for quite some time. Dumfries was one of the stars of the Dutch national team during the group stage of the European Championship. He was (in)directly involved in all hits in the first two group matches. Malen impressed in the last group match against North Macedonia (0-3 win), including one assist.

Schmidt is impressed by the performance of Dumfries and Malen. “Denzel has played two and a half games and has been involved in many goals, showing his attacking quality. Donyell also did well when he played. And maybe he can play some more.” Dumfries’ starting position against the Czech Republic on Sunday is undisputed and Malen will probably also appear at the starting signal.

PSV reportedly requires a minimum of fifteen million euros for Dumfries, which was taken over from sc Heerenveen in the summer of 2018 for 5.5 million euros. Malen made the switch from Arsenal’s youth academy to PSV in 2017. German media write that Borussia Dortmund is willing to pay at least thirty million euros for the attacker.