Newcastle United will reportedly look to secure the services of 27-year-old Inter Milan defensive powerhouse Milan Skriniar in a Bosman move next summer.
Newcastle United have emerged as the surprise frontrunners in the race to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar. That’s according to Calciomercatoweb, who claims the Premier League outfit are now the leading contenders to secure the signature of Skriniar.
The 27-year-old centre-back is arguably one of the best defensive talents in Italy and has been an integral part of Inter’s backline ever since arriving from Sampdoria back in 2017. The Slovakian international has clocked up almost 240 competitive appearances for the Nerazzurri, chipping in with 11 goals, and helping them win the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia along the way.
The Slovakian international is in the final year of his contract with Inter Milan, meaning clubs from overseas could either make a cut-price swoop for him in January or try to sign him on a Bosman transfer in the summer of 2023, with the defender free to speak with overseas interested parties and strike a pre-contract agreement from January onwards.
And while the Serie A giants want to keep him at the club, the player is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at San Siro amid speculation regarding his future.
He was the subject of a failed £50 million bid from PSG last summer. The Parisians have remained interested in snapping him up since, and could even make a move in the upcoming January transfer window. Tottenham are also firmly in the mix to sign Skriniar, who is also being courted by almost all the traditional top-six Premier League clubs.
Now, Calciomercato reports that Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have also entered the race and are ready to table a lucrative contract offer in order to seal the deal for the Inter superstar.
At 27, Skriniar is at the peak of his powers as a footballer and has established himself as one of the best defenders in European football for the past several years. Given his pedigree and status, he will be an immediate starter for the Toon as he has the attributes to make an already watertight defence under Eddie Howe into an impregnable one.
An excellent reader of the game, the Slovak defensive rock can get embroiled in some crunching tackles and interceptions to stop the opposition’s track.
Strong, tenacious, and physically imposing with great composure with the ball at his feet, Skriniar is often quick to spot danger and snuff it out at the source and would add more steel and quality to Newcastle’s already formidable backline. Aside from that, he remains a born leader and is good at organising defences.
Skriniar could be a good addition to Howe’s ranks, but much will depend on their league position at the end of the season. Newcastle have been in excellent form this season and are currently sitting in the top four of the Premier League. If they can secure a place in the Champions League, they will be able to attract some top-tier talent, like Skriniar.
It also remains to be seen whether Newcastle’s uber-rich owners are willing to flex their financial muscles and lodge irresistible personal terms to beat off stiff competition and bring him to St. James Park.
