Romelu Lukaku has recommended Chelsea sign Tottenham Hotspur summer target Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan following his transfer to Stamford Bridge, per Sport Mediaset.
The Blues paid the Nerazzurri £97.5m to bring Lukaku back to the Premier League on a five-year contract last month. He spent just two years at the San Siro, where the Belgian striker seemingly struck a strong relationship with Skriniar.
Chelsea are now plotting their future spending and have a centre-half on their list of prime candidates for 2022. Lukaku has told the west London outfit to raid his former Serie A side to solve this need, with a bid for Skriniar plus fellow Inter enforcer Alessandro Bastoni.
Lukaku’s desire for Chelsea to sign Skriniar could frustrate the Blues’ bitter London rivals, Tottenham. Per Calciomercato, Spurs Managing Director Fabio Paratici had sought to sign the Serbian this summer. Following up the club’s long-standing interest in the 26-year-old.
But Skriniar snubbed switching his Serie A winning side for the Premier League as he feels at home at Inter. The 46-cap rock also parted with his agent earlier this year to represent himself in discussions over a new contract.
Skriniar only had eyes for the San Siro natives, not Tottenham, but it remains to be seen if Lukaku can test his resolve to reunite at Chelsea, instead. The pair played 76 times together during the £212k-a-week Belgian’s time in Milan and even combined for two goals.
Inter also clinched their first Serie A title since 2009/10 with Lukaku in attack and Skriniar playing rear-guard last season. The now-Chelsea ace offered 24 goals and 10 assists, while the Tottenham target Lukaku now wants at the Bridge helped keep 12 clean sheets.
Will Lukaku and Chelsea make Tottenham regret not signing Skriniar?
Chelsea could frustrate Tottenham by signing their long-term target, Skriniar, from Inter Milan under Lukaku’s recommendation in a 2022 market. Paratici, in particular, may front most of the anguish, having also wanted him for years while in charge at Juventus.
Skriniar is certainly one of the top players in Europe for his position, having proven himself as a fierce enforcer. That’s according to Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes, who described the Slovakian as ‘one of the best in this position’ during Euro 2020, via iNews.
But, per Calciomercato, Tottenham only viewed Skriniar as an alternative target to Cristian Romero this summer, who they ultimately signed. Despite Spurs remaining in the market for a second centre-half following the Argentine’s arrival, according to football.london.
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