Inter star Milan Skriniar is still Jose Mourinho’s number one defensive target at Tottenham Hotspur despite the fact that the Serie A giants are demanding £55 million, as reported by ESPN.
With nine conceded in ten matches thus far, table-topping Spurs are the only club in the Premier League to have let in less than a goal-a-game on average this season.
Toby Alderweireld is back at his belligerent best after showing signs of serious decline during Mourinho’s first few months in North London, while Eric Dier has been a revelation since dropping from midfield into defence.
But with the erratic Davinson Sanchez and the inexperienced Joe Rodon in reserve, Mourinho may see the January window as the ideal opportunity to make a potentially title-winning signing.
Whether chairman Daniel Levy agrees, however, remains to be seen.
Mourinho had convinced Skriniar to swap Milan for the English capital over the summer (Di Marzio). But Levy’s reluctance to meet Inter’s £55 million price-tag meant that an agreement could not be reached before the October deadline (Calciomercato).
ESPN suggests that Antonio Conte’s Europa League runners-up will ask for £55 million if Tottenham come calling again in January, with the Slovakia international still very much Mourinho’s priority.
Skriniar would certainly be a statement signing from a Tottenham side who have emerged as genuine Premier League title contenders under the former Chelsea and Manchester United boss.
With Spurs looking to balance domestic and continental competitions, they surely cannot have too many top-level talents.
“When some coach like Jose says that he is looking for a player like me or somebody else, it’s always nice,” Skriniar told ESPN after Mourinho tried to lure him to Manchester United.
“Jose is one of the most famous, best, greatest coaches in the world.”
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