Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to rekindle their interest in Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar this summer.
The north London club are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements and have set their sights on the Slovakia international. Tottenham tried to sign Skriniar in the summer transfer window last year, but did not manage to get a deal over the line.
According to Calcio Mercato, Tottenham’s new sporting director Fabio Paratici is a huge fan of Skriniar and is keen to bring him to London, having previously tried to sign him at Juventus.
Skriniar has established himself as a mainstay in the Inter defence over the past few years. The 26-year-old has made 167 appearances for Inter in all competitions since his arrival from Sampdoria in 2017.
He was instrumental in their run to the Serie A title last season, forming a formidable partnership with Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. His current contract expires in 2023.
Milan Skriniar to Tottenham: The defensive boost they need?
Tottenham have missed out on Champions League football for two consecutive seasons, and new manager Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to freshen up the squad ahead of a top-four push next campaign.
🗞[@TuttoMercatoWeb] | Tottenham Hotspur are on 'the attack' to finally land the signing of centre-back Milan Skriniar.
Spurs have sent an offer to Inter for Skriniar and are hopeful of securing the defender during the summer transfer window.#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/Tq4mwCJrjP
— Last Word On Spurs🎙 (@LastWordOnSpurs) July 14, 2021
The London club had one of the worst defences in the English top-flight last season; they conceded a whopping 45 goals, more than any other ‘Big Six’ team. Milan Skriniar’s arrival will certainly help ease some of their defensive woes.
He will add plenty of steel and leadership to the Spurs backline. A no-nonsense defender, Skriniar prides himself on his awareness and reading of the game. He is rarely caught out of position and is a great ball-winner. The Slovakian averaged 2.7 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game in the Serie A last season.
He is also composed in possession and capable of playing out from the back; he registered 4.02 progressive passes and 4.32 progressive carries per game. Strong in the air, Skriniar will also be a useful presence in set-pieces at both ends.
He is still only 26, meaning he has at least five seasons of top-level football left in him.
With Toby Alderweireld’s future up in the air and Davinson Sanchez also set to leave the club, Spurs could have a whole new backline next season. Apart from Skriniar, they have also been linked with moves for Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix as well as Bolgona’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.