Tottenham Hotspur technical director Steve Hitchen has been in Milan to discuss a move for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar with the player’s agent, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
News of Tottenham’s interest in Milan Skriniar broke in recent days and it appears the North-London club are pressing ahead with a move.
Tottenham Hotspur Director Meets Skriniar Agent in Milan
Transfer Fee
It has been reported that Inter Milan are asking for €60 million to let Milan Skriniar leave the club. Skriniar has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and now could be the time for it to happen. Though, Tottenham are looking to pay a fee of €50 million (including bonuses).
Having previously discussed a potential swap-deal involving Tanguy Ndombele with the Italian giants, that will no longer be the case, as Fabrizio Romano has reported.
Tottenham are likely going to have to pay-up, but Di Marzio’s report that they are looking to pay a total of €50 million suggests they will do so.
The player is said to be interested in a move to the English club, which always helps.
Skriniar Has Been Important for the Nerazzurri
Skriniar has been an important player in recent years at Inter Milan, amassing 128 appearances for the Nerazzurri. The Slovakian defender made 42 appearances in black & blue last season, contributing a great deal to their second-place finish in Serie A, but less so for their Europa League campaign, where he spent most of the time on the bench.
Conte is already losing Diego Godin to Cagliari so will surely be looking to acquire a strong defender, should Skriniar also depart.
Chris Smalling an Option for Inter
Should a move happen, Di Marzio reports that Antonio Conte will move for Nikola Milenkovic, of Fiorentina, as Skriniar’s replacement. Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who’s future seems up in the air, is an alternative option for Inter Milan.
On Smalling, it appears Manchester United are prepared to keep him at the club as negotiations with AS Roma are not progressing to the point of United receiving the transfer fee that they desire.
“At the moment, we’ve not had any bids up to the level that we want,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters after United’s 3-0 win over Luton Town on Tuesday night. “So that’s the situation.”
“That is not down to me,” Ole added when asked about United’s valuation. “Is it? I’m not the one negotiating between the clubs, but we haven’t had sufficient bids there and that’s it.”
Ruben Dias Remains in Spurs’ Thoughts
Fabrizio Romano adds that Benfica‘s Ruben Dias remains a serious option for Spurs as Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen at the back.
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