Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, who could cost around £70 million.
According to a report by The Sun, Chelsea have entered the race for Milan Skriniar. The Inter Milan superstar, who could be slapped with a £70 million price tag, is also being chased by a number of other top clubs, including the Blues’ Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Skriniar’s stock has skyrocketed since joining Inter Milan from Sampdoria in the summer of 2017. In around 15 months that he has been at San Siro, the player has been a mainstay in defence for the Nerazzurri, missing just two of the 56 games that the Italian heavyweights have played.
However, Skriniar is in dispute with Inter over his wages, with the player of the opinion that he deserves an improved deal. A contract offer hasn’t been forthcoming from the Serie A outfit though, which has opened up the possibility of a move away from San Siro, piquing the interest of Chelsea and Manchester United as a result.
Chelsea’s need to bolster the heart of the defence is understandable. Maurizio Sarri’s current backup central defenders are Gary Cahill and Andreas Christensen, who are both frustrated by their decline in stature at Stamford Bridge.
While Cahill looks set to embark on a loan spell in January, with Manchester United coincidentally being one of his suitors, Christensen voiced his frustrations during the international break. Chelsea are thus, in a worrisome state, especially considering first-choice centre-back David Luiz will be 32 by the time the season ends.
All things considered, the Blues are scouring the market for a centre-back, with Skriniar being a viable target. But, Chelsea are not alone in pursuit of the 23-year-old, with Manchester United also interested in signing him.
Manchester United’s attempts to sign a centre-back in the summer transfer window were well documented. Heading into January, however, it is believed that the club are ready to back Jose Mourinho in the market, with Skriniar being one of the manager’s top targets.
But, in order to sign Skriniar, Chelsea and Manchester United (or any other suitor) will have to shell out around £70 million, as per the report. The valuation is some way off the figure that Luciano Spalletti had boasted about recently, and it will be interesting to see if the reported sum is enough to swoop away the Slovak.
What is certain though, is that the race to sign Milan Skriniar is heating up, with Manchester United now having to battle Chelsea for the player. It now remains to be seen if the player ends up leaving Inter Milan in a deal worth around £70 million in January, or if the price tag pegs the suitors back instead.
