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‘I’ll stay’: World-class £55m star rules out Liverpool or Tottenham move

Photo by Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Getty Images
Photo by Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Getty Images
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Photo by Mattia Ozbot – Inter/Inter via Getty Images

Milan Skriniar wants to stay at Serie A champions Inter Milan despite reported interest from Premier League trio Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, speaking via Football Italia. 

It’s not often Virgil van Dijk is overshadowed.

But as Inter Milan defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League round-of-16 earlier this month – delivering Jurgen Klopp’s first home loss in over a year – the totemic Dutchman found himself in a rather unfamiliar position.

On the losing side and outperformed by his opposite number at the other end of the pitch. 

Not so long ago, Skriniar was facing an uncertain future at the San Siro, struggling to adapt to Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system and relegated to the bench in favour of Diego Godin.

How times have changed. 

A reunion with Antonio Conte?

Skriniar was one of the first names on the Inter team-sheet as Conte guided the Nerazzuri to their first Serie A title since the Jose Mourinho heyday last season.

According to Calciomercato, the now-Tottenham boss would love to work with the 27-year-old again, identifying Skriniar as a defender capable of forming a fearsome partnership with Cristian Romero at the heart of his improving Spurs side. 

Newcastle are also eyeing on the £55 million Skriniar (Daily Mail).

Liverpool, meanwhile, reportedly wanted to open talks with the former Sampdoria stopper in the build-up to the summer transfer window.

And Skriniar’s almost faultless displays in both legs of their Champions League round-of-16 tie certainly served to justify Liverpool’s interest. 

Photo by Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

But, after being named Slovakia’s Player of the Year for a third straight season, Skriniar made it clear that he is in no rush to walk away from the San Siro.

“My contract runs out in 2023, but I think I’ll stay longer,” explains Skriniar. “I imagine that club directors are happy and want to offer me a new deal.”

Liverpool’s interest raises further doubts regarding the future of Joe Gomez at Anfield. The England international has fallen to fourth in Klopp’s pecking order and started only his seventh game of the season in Sunday’s 1-0 FA Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest. 

Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images