Chelsea, PSG could be frustrated in Skriniar pursuit

FT Desk

17 Oct 2022 16:08 BST
3 min read

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are at the front of the queue to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan, but his current employers could have other ideas…

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Skriniar is out of contract next summer, and that, allied to his obvious defensive abilities, make him one of the most in-demand players in his position on the continent this season.

Chelsea and PSG have both been credited with an interest.

⛔️ | Milan Skriniar's Space: No Entry!#FCIM ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/UKYoXog4Y6
— Inter (@Inter_en) October 26, 2017

Chelsea paid Leicester £75 million (€87.4m) for Wesley Fofana this summer, but the France under-21 international is out with a sprained knee. Another €40m was dropped on Kalidou Koulibaly, but the suspicion remains that the 31-year-old former Napoli man's presence jars with new owner Todd Boehly's "Vision 2030".

PSG are also well stocked at centre-back on initial inspection, but Presnel Kimpembe's muscular injury issues are becoming a concern while Sergio Ramos is 36. The recent absence of both has forced head coach Christophe Galtier to dispense with a back three.

Less money, more influence

Skriniar, a Serie A winner who at 27 is at the peak of his powers, would be a boon for either potential suitor, especially if he can be picked up on a free transfer, but Inter can still steer his future.

"The contract offer [from Inter] should be around €6 million per season," report Calcio Mercato. "Which is much lower than the proposals from abroad with PSG and Chelsea in pole position for Skriniar and willing to pay around €8m."

However, Skriniar is now in his sixth season at the San Siro having joined from Sampdoria for €20m in 2017, and a pay rise might not be enough to prise the Slovakia international away, according to the report.

"The Slovak is a technical and emotional leader of [Simone] Inzaghi's team," they write. "Just look at the way he communicated during a match. He would never have this prominent role in a foreign club like PSG or Chelsea."