Chelsea and PSG are reportedly set to go head to head in the race to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
According to a report from Foot Mercato, Milan Skriniar is staring at an uncertain future at Inter Milan. With his contract expiring in 2023, the defender is in contention to leave Giuseppe Meazza in the summer, with PSG and Chelsea among the clubs interested in securing his services.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel is believed to be a keen admirer of Skriniar, who is regarded as one of the best defenders in Serie A and has been the beating heart of the Inter Milan backline for quite some time now. And with his time in Milan coming to an end, the German tactician is hoping to snap him up ahead of the new season.
Skriniar will be brought in to steady the ship at the back for Chelsea that have had to deal with the departure of Antonio Rudiger. Both Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta have been linked with a move to Barcelona as well, with the latter closing in on a €5 million switch to Camp Nou.
The addition of Skriniar, therefore, could go a long way in offering experience and composure at the heart of the Chelsea backline. Experience and stability are something Chelsea are desperately looking for, as indicated by the club’s pursuit of another Inter Milan stalwart in Stefan de Vrij.
At the age of 27, though, Skriniar is younger than de Vrij and is currently at the peak of his powers. The Slovakian international is also far more adept in the technical side of the game and is capable of moving up with the ball at his feet, making him a potential option as the right-sided centre-back for Chelsea.
However, Chelsea are facing stiff competition from PSG, in the pursuit of the Inter Milan star. With Sergio Ramos struggling with injuries in his first season and Abdou Diallo likely to leave the club, the Ligue 1 champions are in the market for a new centre-back in the summer.
New sporting director Luis Campos rates Skriniar highly due to his success at Inter and his overall experience at the highest level of football. PSG could once again look to flex their financial muscle in an attempt to lure the Slovakian international this summer, but with Chelsea packing €200 million in their transfer kitty, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this chase.
