Milan Skriniar Confirms Manchester United Interest Amid £57M Rumours

Christopher Simpson @@CJSimpsonBRFeatured ColumnistJune 22, 2018

MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 11: Milan Skriniar of FC Internazionale Milano gestures during the serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

Reported Manchester United target Milan Skriniar has revealed the English club has made contact with him regarding a summer move, but while he was flattered by their interest, he was also pleased his side Inter Milan turned down the Red Devils' advances.

La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported the Premier League outfit had made a £57 million bid for the centre-back as manager Jose Mourinho looks to bolster his defensive options (h/t the Daily Star's Owen Fulda.

However, Skriniar told the Slovak Football Association's official website (h/t the Daily Star's Jack Staplehurst): "Manchester United? I heard from them, and it made me proud. But I'm even happier that Inter decided to reject it and that they believe so much in me."

The 23-year-old has only been at Inter for one season, but he has already established himself as a key player in the side, per OptaPaolo:

OptaPaolo @OptaPaolo
3420 - Milan Skriniar is the first outfield Inter player to play every single minute of a league campaign (3420) since Serie A went back to 20 teams (2004-05), overtaking Javier Zanetti (3375) in 2008-09. Essential. https://t.co/9asyWwoxcU

His efforts helped Inter concede just 30 goals in Serie A last season, a comparable record to those above them in the table.

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Football journalist David Amoyal and Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi singled him out for praise when Inter held Napoli to a 0-0 draw in March:

David Amoyal @DavidAmoyal
What a match by Skriniar. Granted Inter has Handanovic behind him, but the former Samp center back has been so decisive for Spalletti

Siavoush Fallahi @SiavoushF
Milan Skriniar is the best thing that happened this club in years. I'd sell them all to keep him.

The Slovak is one of the brightest centre-back prospects in European football.

He's an excellent defender, and he's also supremely comfortable on the ball and hardly concedes possession because of an errant pass or misguided attempt to take on an opponent.

Skriniar could be a superb capture for United, who are in need of some fresh blood in defence. He seems happy to stay put, though, and convincing Inter to sell will be an expensive endeavour.