Real Madrid have reportedly lined up Milan Skriniar as a potential replacement for Raphael Varane, who is being linked with a summer exit from the club.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid seem to be preparing for life without Raphael Varane as they are eyeing Inter Milan’s Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar as one of the potential replacements for the Frenchman.
Varane has been a mainstay at the heart of the Real Madrid defence for years now. However, the ongoing campaign could very well be his last in the Spanish capital, as he is seeking a new challenge in his career. There has been strong transfer interest in his services from Manchester United as well as Chelsea heading into the summer.
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Indeed, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez recently hinted that the club would be open to a sale should Varane does not sign a new contract, with his current one set to expire at the end of the 2021/22 campaign. And, as per the aforementioned report, the Merengues are already drawing up a list of replacements for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, with Skriniar among the candidates.
Skriniar, 26, has been with Inter Milan since 2017 and has gradually developed into one of the most reliable centre-backs in Serie A. The Slovakian centre-half had been somewhat out of favour under Antonio Conte last season, but has emerged as a permanent fixture for the Inter boss this time out, playing a key role in the Nerazzurri’s ascent to top of the league table.
Indeed, Skriniar has missed just one Serie A game when he has been available for selection this season, helping Inter Milan to the best defensive record in the league in the ongoing campaign. And, this has seemingly put him on the radars of Real Madrid.
Even though the Merengues are set to sign David Alaba on a free transfer, they could be in need of two new defenders in the summer given as captain Sergio Ramos is out of contract at the end of the ongoing season and is yet to agree an extension with the club, making Skriniar a viable target for Real Madrid.
Apart from the Slovakian international, Sevilla’s French centre-back Jules Kounde and Pau Torres of Villarreal are the other two options that the reigning Spanish champions are considering. The report, however, adds that signing Skriniar’s acquisition could prove to be tricky considering that he is part of a winning setup at Inter Milan, who have no imminent need to offload players either.
It remains to be seen if Real Madrid launch a move for Skriniar ahead of the upcoming season or focus their attention on other alternatives.
