Newcastle United reportedly have their eye on launching a move to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
The Lowdown: Skriniar’s career so far
Having joined the Nerazzurri from fellow Italian club Sampdoria in 2017, the Slovakia centre-back has gone on to make 236 appearances for his current side across all competitions.
As things stand, Skriniar is set to see his contract with the Serie A giants expire at the end of the season, meaning that he would be able to leave the San Siro as a free agent if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal before then.
With the January transfer window approaching, Newcastle have been mentioned with a move for the Slovakian.
The Latest: Newcastle eyeing Skriniar bid
According to a recent report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Magpies are interested in signing the defender, who Inter are trying to convince to sign a new deal at the club.
The report adds that, if Skriniar were to sign a new deal, it would take a significant offer from Newcastle to sign him, with their potential inclusion in next year’s Champions League being a big factor in their ability to potentially lure the player to St James’ Park.
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The Verdict: Solid target for Newcastle
With only one player at Inter featuring for more minutes in Serie A this season than the 27-year-old, this shows how important he is to Simone Inzaghi’s team.
In terms of his attributes on the pitch, Skriniar boasts the highest passing accuracy percentage at the club (91.9%) as well as the third-highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (31).
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Previously hailed as a “monster” by journalist Carlo Garganese, it’s easy to see why Inter are keen on keeping hold of their £92k-per-week defensive colossus, and why Newcastle have him on their radar.
Even though Eddie Howe’s side have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League with just 11 goals conceded this season, potentially signing Skriniar on a free transfer in the summer would surely be a brilliant bit of business for the Toon.