Inter defender Milan Skriniar has distanced himself from reports suggesting he could reunite with Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte in the Premier League, speaking to FC Inter News.
You may remember that Spurs made a £30 million bid for the Slovakia international during the summer of 2020.
At the time, Tottenham’s interest made perfect sense. Davinson Sanchez was struggling to live up to expectations and Toby Alderweireld was on the wane.
But with Cristian Romero, arguably the most exciting young defender in England, making the right-sided centre-half role his own under Conte these days, there’s not really an obvious place for Skriniar in North London anymore.
As reported by The Athletic, Tottenham are prioritising a left-sided centre-half this summer.
If the 2019 Champions League finalists are to make an approach for one of Inter’s defenders this summer, one suspects it will be the left-footed Alessandro Bastoni rather than the right-footed Skriniar.
Milan Skriniar rubbishes Tottenham Hotspur links
“I have a contract with Inter and I’m happy in Milan,” Skriniar, a Scudetto winner under Conte in 2021, says when asked about those ongoing Tottenham links.
“These rumours, they come out every year or every six months. There is nothing. I’m satisfied in Milan.
“Last year, we were Italian champions. This year, we won the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup. We still have something to fight for, so we have set goals. I think next season we will be competitive on all fronts.”
One Inter star could be unveiled as a Spurs player before the week is out, however. Ivan Perisic travelled to England ahead of agreeing a £180,000-a-week, two-year deal with Tottenham on Tuesday, negotiations over a new contract at the San Siro having run aground some time ago.
“We’re sorry to see him go,” explains CEO Beppe Marotta, indicating that Inter’s precarious financial situation may have played a part in failing to agree a contract extension (FCInterNews).
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“But he wanted to try a new adventure in the Premier League. We were not in a position to present a better option, and it was his choice to seek a future somewhere else.
“Total respect for him, and also a big thank you. We’ll find the right replacement. And, in any case, we’ve already signed (Robin) Gosens.”
Perisic, provider of 10 goals and a further nine assists in 2021/22, has arguably been the best player in the whole of Serie A since the turn of the year.
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