Manchester United are keen on securing the signature of Inter Milan centre back Milan Skriniar. The Slovakian international has been in good form over the last two seasons with the Italian club, which has resulted in interest from several clubs in Europe.
As per Tuttosport (via The Sun), Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a fan of the 25-year-old defender. The report claims that Inter want £71 million for Skriniar, but the Red Devils are willing to pay £52.5 million for him.
Milan Skriniar has been with Inter since 2017, joining the club from Sampdoria. His current deal with the Italian side expires in 2023, with the player having signed a new deal last year.
Milan Skriniar: The ideal partner for Maguire?
Solskjaer reportedly wants to sign Skriniar to play alongside Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, who was signed by the club last summer for around £80 million. Maguire has had a decent first season with the Red Devils and has made a big impression in the dressing room which resulted in him being given the captaincy following Ashley Young’s departure from the club.
Milan Skriniar is a solid and hard-tackling centre back, who defends first and does not hesitate before putting the ball in the stands if the situation demands. The Slovakian averages 1.2 tackles and 2.9 clearances per game in the Serie A this season. Like Maguire, Skriniar is a leader at the back, commanding and organising his team in defensive situations.
Manchester United have not had a solid centre back pairing since the departure of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, which, at one time, was the strongest defensive pairing in the Premier League. Milan Skriniar and Maguire could form a similar partnership at the back for Manchester United.
Maguire with his ball-playing skills could imitate the role Ferdinand played to an extent while Skriniar’s no-nonsense defensive tendency will help in shoring up the backline while on the backfoot. Both players have individual strengths and if Ole can get them to click as a unit, United will finally have a stable long-term pairing and resultantly a solid base from which the players further forward can work their magic.
United’s current centre back options to play alongside Maguire are Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, and youngster Axel Tuanzebe. Lindelof has blown hot and cold, while Bailly’s injuries have caused him to miss many matches. Tuanzebe is young and inexperienced and will need some time to earn a place in the starting XI.
The signing of Skriniar could be a very good one, as he is still just 25 and has experience of playing in Serie A and the Champions League, putting on solid performances for his club.