Manchester United Plotting Move for Inter's Milan Skriniar on Free Transfer

According to latest reports, Manchester United are plotting a move for Intern Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar. The Serie A club are battling to retain their star defender as the 27-year-old is generating huge interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

Milan Skriniar has been an important part of Inter’s success in the last few years. He helped the Nerazzurri end their 11-year Scudetto drought in the 2020/21 season under Antonio Conte. Last season, Inter beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final to add another trophy to their collection.

The Slovakian centre-back is in the final year of his contract at the Italian club. Paris Saint-Germain were close to signing the defender in the summer, but failed to finalise a deal despite making a promise to Kylian Mbappe.

Now, as reported by 90min, Manchester United are closely monitoring Milan Skriniar and looking to make a move in the January transfer window. The Red Devils have made contact with the player’s representatives in the recent weeks regarding a potential deal.

With the defender’s contract ending in June next year, he can sign a pre-contract with any club in January. United will try to convince the 27-year-old and his agents to sign a pre-contract to facilitate a move to Old Trafford on a free transfer next summer.

However, Manchester United will face tough competition as Milan Skriniar is attracting interest from across Europe. Apart from the Red Devils, Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool are all looking at the centre-back to get him at a cut-price deal.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan are locked in advanced talks with the defender’s agents over a contract extension. The Serie A side are trying to persuade him to sign a new deal and commit his future to the club. The Nerazzurri are hopeful of their chances of retaining the Slovakian.

Player Analysis

Milan Skriniar started his football career at MSK Zilina before moving to Italy in 2016. Sampdoria, who have a renowned scouting network, identified him as a future star. In his first season at Sampdoria, the defender became a regular as manager Marco Giampaolo established his footballing philosophy at the club.

The 27-year-old has been one of the best defenders in the Italian top-flight since his move to Milan in 2017. The player has eleven goals and four assists from 236 appearances at Inter Milan (stats via Transfermarkt). He was significant in Conte’s title-winning team two years back. Skriniar has been one of the captain figures for the team this term.

This season, Inter have lacked the same consistency in the league, but have proved their mettle in the Champions League to pip Barcelona to second place and qualify for the knockouts where they first take on FC Porto.

Inter CEO Marotta on Milan Skriniar after PSG and Man Utd links: "We'll meet with his agent this week as we're planning to get new deal done as soon as possible". 🔵 #transfers

"Skriniar loves this club and I hope we'll be able to reach full agreement on new contract soon". pic.twitter.com/mer8Zhpo7z

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 8, 2022

In Serie A, the defender averages 2 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game. His physicality, both in the air and on the ground makes him a complete defender. He is extremely calm in one-on-one defending situations. Skriniar is an asset for any team who uses possession-based systems. His influence at Inter Milan is visible; averaging 68 passes with a completion rate of 92.3%. Skriniar can play both as a right or left-centre-back.

He is usually part of the team’s build-up play and dribbles out with the ball from the back to then pass to a free teammate. This is crucial when playing against low-block teams who tend to leave a lot of space as they go further away from their own penalty box.

Centre-backs have become important tools to break down low-block teams, especially in the Champions League group stage phase. Milan Skriniar is one of Europe’s finest who is quick in taking up the perfect position when off the ball. Add progressive passing and aerial prowess and you get an unstoppable force.

Verdict

Skriniar and Stefan De Vrij are the defenders who seem to be departing San Siro for free coming summer and the former is being considered more significant by Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta. The Nerazzurri CEO is optimistic about keeping the 27-year-old:-

“As far as Skriniar, who is absolutely top-class both on and off the pitch, I hope we can agree a new deal very much, and I’m very optimistic that the negotiations can reach a conclusion by November 13.”

Inter are hoping that the Slovakian will put pen to paper, but his agents are aware of the interest from big clubs in Europe. United should definitely be looking at the centre-back because of the over-dependence on Raphael Varane, who is injury-prone, and fans are not comfortable with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire starting.

Since Varane signed for the club in the summer of 2021, injuries have consistently hampered his game time. And the Old Trafford side have missed the 29-year-old’s presence in the current campaign when he has not played alongside Lisandro Martinez. Inter will be desperate to hold on to Milan Skriniar but expect the likes of Manchester United to test their resolve next summer.

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