Why Inter want €70m for out of contract Chelsea target Skriniar

Cameron Smith

29 Jul 2022 11:26 BST
3 min read

Inter Milan are reportedly not willing to budge on their €70 million valuation of Slovakian international Milan Skriniar as Chelsea's interest grows.

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The Blues missed out on Jules Kounde to Barcelona, while previous defensive pursuits of Nathan Ake and Matthijs de Ligt both ended in failure.

Chelsea are now understand to have identified three centre-back targets as Thomas Tuchel continues to push for additions in that area of the pitch following the free transfer departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard and Leicester City's Wesley Fofana are both being looked at, with Chelsea reportedly agreeing personal terms with the latter.

However, Tuchel has repeatedly stressed that he would like at least one more centre-back addition, with two the preference, despite Kalidou Koulibaly's arrival from Napoli.

Skriniar is therefore a viable option, and Chelsea are also understood to be looking at his Inter team-mate Denzel Dumfries as an alternative to Reece James at wing-back, with the England international also capable of playing at centre-back.

But, Skriniar is a clear target despite his huge price tag. Paris Saint-Germain were heavily interested earlier in the window, but that has since cooled, with the fee putting the Parisians off. They have instead turned to RB Leipzig's Nordi Mukiele.

© ProShots - Milan Skriniar was wanted by PSG earlier this summer

How much to Inter want for Skriniar?

Chelsea are interested in Skriniar, but the Blues won't be helped by Inter, who reportedly won't move the goalposts in regards to their asking price.

SportItalia have reported that Inter will not lower their valuation of Skriniar despite interest from abroad and the fact his contract is set to expire in 2023.

Normally a player's valuation will decrease as their contract shortens, however Inter are refusing to buck to the trend with reports that there's an agreement in place with Skriniar for a new deal if they don't sell him this summer.

So, although his contract expires in 2023, Inter are counting on him for much longer as they believe a new deal will be signed. Furthermore, the club have a strong relationship with the player, meaning Chelsea will find it difficult to agree a deal for the 27-year-old.