Manchester United are set to prioritise their summer pursuit of Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar, who is valued in upwards of £75 million by Inter Milan.
According to a report by The Sun, Milan Skriniar has moved to the top of the transfer wishlist for Manchester United, who are intent on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights though, will have to pay a world record transfer fee for a defender to swoop the Slovak away from Inter Milan.
Milan Skriniar has created quite a reputation for himself since joining Inter Milan from Sampdoria in the summer of 2017. Over the last 18 months or so, the player’s progress has been so incredible that he is now widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Serie A and beyond.
Now a mainstay in defence for the Nerazzurri, the 24-year-old has missed just three games for the Italian heavyweights this season, which points to his status in the first-team setup. But, his solid showings at the back have also earned him an admirer in Manchester United.
In fact, Skriniar was one of several centre-backs who were linked with Manchester United in the aftermath of last summer’s disappointing transfer window, wherein Jose Mourinho had failed to add a centre-back to his squad. But, while Mourinho has since been shown the exit door at Old Trafford, Manchester United remain in the market for a central defender.
For a long time, Kalidou Koulibaly was reportedly the priority for the Red Devils, who were believed to be pursuing a world record transfer for the Senegalese. But, The Sun suggest that Skriniar has now moved ahead of his fellow Serie A centre-back in United’s transfer wishlist.
Judging by the inconsistent performances of every centre-back apart from Victor Lindelof this season, it goes without saying that Skriniar would be an upgrade over the current options at the heart of the defence. And, the Slovakian international is likely to replace Eric Bailly in the Manchester United first-team squad, as per the report.
But, snapping the 24-year-old from Inter Milan will cost a premium, with the Serie A heavyweights keen to secure a world record sum for a centre-back by recouping more than the £75 million that Liverpool paid to sign Virgil van Dijk. The Nerazzurri though, are eager to tie Skriniar down to a new deal, hoping to keep hold of him in the process.
For now, it looks like Milan Skriniar is transfer target number one for Manchester United, who are intent on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window. It now remains to be seen if their new priority target makes his way to Old Trafford, or if he stays put at San Siro.
