Chelsea, PSG could be frustrated in Skriniar pursuit
FT Desk
- 17 Oct 2022 16:08 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are at the front of the queue to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan, but his current employers could have other ideas…
Skriniar is out of contract next summer, and that, allied to his obvious defensive abilities, make him one of the most in-demand players in his position on the continent this season.
Chelsea and PSG have both been credited with an interest.
⛔️ | Milan Skriniar's Space: No Entry!#FCIM ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/UKYoXog4Y6
— Inter (@Inter_en) October 26, 2017
Chelsea paid Leicester £75 million (€87.4m) for Wesley Fofana this summer, but the France under-21 international is out with a sprained knee. Another €40m was dropped on Kalidou Koulibaly, but the suspicion remains that the 31-year-old former Napoli man's presence jars with new owner Todd Boehly's "Vision 2030".
PSG are also well stocked at centre-back on initial inspection, but Presnel Kimpembe's muscular injury issues are becoming a concern while Sergio Ramos is 36. The recent absence of both has forced head coach Christophe Galtier to dispense with a back three.
Less money, more influence
Skriniar, a Serie A winner who at 27 is at the peak of his powers, would be a boon for either potential suitor, especially if he can be picked up on a free transfer, but Inter can still steer his future.
"The contract offer [from Inter] should be around €6 million per season," report Calcio Mercato. "Which is much lower than the proposals from abroad with PSG and Chelsea in pole position for Skriniar and willing to pay around €8m."
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However, Skriniar is now in his sixth season at the San Siro having joined from Sampdoria for €20m in 2017, and a pay rise might not be enough to prise the Slovakia international away, according to the report.
"The Slovak is a technical and emotional leader of [Simone] Inzaghi's team," they write. "Just look at the way he communicated during a match. He would never have this prominent role in a foreign club like PSG or Chelsea."
