X

WORLD FOOTBALL

NEWSSCORESTEAMSTRANSFER RUMORS

    Report: Manchester United Need to Pay More Than £65M to Land Milan Skriniar

    Gill Clark@@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IOctober 27, 2018

    BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 24: Milan Skriniar of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Internazionale at the Camp Nou on October 24, 2018 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
    Soccrates Images/Getty Images

    Manchester United must reportedly pay more than £65 million if they are to tempt Inter Milan into selling centre-back Milan Skriniar.

    According to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Harry Slavin for MailOnline), the Serie A side value the 23-year-old highly and would not sell even for £65 million.

    Inter are in talks to extend Skriniar's deal, which expires in 2022, but are yet to reach an agreement, which has alerted the Red Devils and Manchester City, per Slavin.

    Skriniar has developed into one of Serie A's most impressive defenders since moving to the San Siro from Sampdoria in summer 2017.

    Scouted Football highlighted his record since joining the Nerazzurri:

    Scouted Football @ScoutedFtbl

    Milan Škriniar started and finished the entire game in each of his 50 appearances for Inter. He's only missed two games, in both of which he was an unused substitute. He has played 4,560 of a possible 4,740 minutes since joining the club. https://t.co/gFdH9xeyL7

    The Slovakia international looks to have his best years still ahead of him. Football commentator Matteo Bonetti explained why he's so good:

    Matteo Bonetti @TheCalcioGuy

    Absolutely. He's athletic, incredibly physical, aggressive, great in the air and getting better with the ball at his feet. Has all the tools to be world class. https://t.co/qJzM7oYXnl

    Manchester United have struggled defensively this season, and manager Jose Mourinho is yet to find a settled centre-back pairing.

    Report: Manchester United Need to Pay More Than £65M to Land Milan Skriniar
    Video Play Button
    ✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Right Arrow Icon

    Rob Dawson of ESPN FC noted how superior their defensive record was last season:

    Rob Dawson @RobDawsonESPN

    Striking that after eight Premier League games last season, United had conceded two goals. Hit 14 on Dec 23. It's 14 already this season.

    The club were linked with a number of defenders over the summer but failed to bring in any reinforcements at centre-back.

    Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire, Yerry Mina and Jerome Boateng were all targets for the Red Devils, according to Jack Otway at the Daily Express.

    Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has also said Manchester United expressed an interest in his services, per Jason Burt of the Telegraph (h/t Goal's Robin Bairner).

    Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News said the Red Devils still need defensive recruits:

    Ciaran Kelly @MENCKelly

    @ManUtdn63836693 In the transfer market? I still think a quality centre-back and a back-up striker are needed in January. On the field, Mourinho needs to be more proactive. Three at the back and Scott McTominay in defence vs West Ham?! Have to start games like those comebacks.

    Skriniar has spoken about rumoured interest from Manchester United but said he did not know if there was any truth in the speculation.

    "Personally, I don't know, as the transfer window has just shut, so it's hard for me to say anything," he told Sport.sk (h/t Metro). "There was some noise in the summer, but nothing happened, so I'm not letting it bother me."

    Strengthening the defence looks to be a priority for Manchester United after a tough start to the season. The team have conceded 16 goals in nine league matches; only Burnley, Huddersfield, Cardiff City and Fulham have let in more.

    However, trying to prise Skriniar away from Inter looks a tough ask. The club will not want to lose one of their key assets, and it remains to be seen if Manchester United are willing to invest so heavily in the January window.