Man City ‘join the race for Milan Skriniar’s services’ with his Inter deal up at the end of 2022-23

Manchester City have joined the ever-growing list of clubs interested in the services of Inter’s Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar. 

The Premier League champions have joined the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea in having their eye caught by the Serie A side’s defensive stalwart, and could make a move for the cenre-back.

Skriniar’s current contract at the Giuseppe Meazza expires at the end of the 2022-23 season, and after several seasons of sniffing around, several of Europe’s top sides are sure to make a move.

The 27-year-old is set to say his farewells to Inter, where he has been playing his football since a 2017 arrival from fellow Italian side Sampdoria, as he will be free to talk to clubs outside of Italy from January. 

And Simone Inzaghi’s side face an uphill battle, with the Premier League’s financial powerhouses – and PSG – all set to flex their considerable muscles in the pursuit of their man. 

But it is not quite an open-and-shut case. Chelsea, who have long been admirers of Skriniar, have just splashed £108million on Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana, and the French champions have reportedly already had several bids rejected. 

Pep Guardiola already has five centre-backs but Nathan Ake has been linked with an exit

According to reports Le Parisians had a bid thought to be worth £43m turned down, with the Italian giants keen to keep hold of the player for another season, even at the risk of losing him for nothing in 2023.  

And City looked to the Bundesliga to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji on transfer deadline day for their fifth centre-back in an already star-studded squad. 

It was thought that Pep Guardiola’s primary objective for 2023 was reinforcing his midfield, with Bernardo Silva linked with a move away to Barcelona. 

In 223 appearances at Inter Skriniar has won a Serie A title, Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup

But interest in the Slovakian defender would suggest otherwise, and the Sanpedor coach has been vocal in his consideration of adding yet another central defender, with Nathan Ake linked with a move away on numerous occasions last summer. 

Another Premier League rival for Skriniar comes in the shape of Spurs, who’s coach Antonio Conte won the Serie A title in 2020-21, and the prospect of rekindling a clearly fruitful relationship could prove difficult to beat. 

The chance to play under Guardiola – who is widely regarded as the greatest tactician in the modern game – could however be too strong a pull to ignore for a player entering the prime of his career, keen to add further titles to his haul. 

Tottenham’s interest in Skriniar could see him reunited with former coach Antonio Conte