Manchester United have reportedly emerged as contenders to sign Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar.
The 27-year-old could be one of the most high-profile free agents on the market next summer, as he is running down the final 12 months of his contract with the Nerazzurri.
Inter are thought to be confident about their chances of signing Skriniar to a new deal, but as things stand, the Slovakia international will be free to enter discussions with foreign clubs next January.
Paris Saint-Germain failed in the efforts to sign Skriniar in the summer transfer window, despite the club allegedly promising Kylian Mbappe that they would sign the Inter defender.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a swoop, and there has been speculation that Inter could let Skriniar leave for a cut-price fee in January if he fails to sign a new contract.
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According to Fichajes, Man United are now in the race to acquire Skriniar's services, as Erik ten Hag could oversee a significant reduction in his defensive ranks next year.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have established themselves as Man United's first-choice defensive pairing this term, relegating Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof to the bench.
Eric Bailly headed out to Marseille on loan after falling down the pecking order, while Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are widely expected to leave the club at the end of the campaign.
As a result, Ten Hag is said to be on the lookout for a centre-back of Skriniar's calibre, but PSG and Chelsea are prepared to reignite their interest next summer.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Skriniar has remained a regular for Simone Inzaghi this season, making 14 appearances in Serie A and the Champions League.
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The former Sampdoria man has 11 goals and four assists under his belt from 229 games in an Inter shirt and was a key component in Conte's title-winning team in the 2020-21 campaign.
Skriniar is one of two Inter defenders who could depart San Siro for free in the summer of 2023, as Stefan de Vrij has also entered the final year of his existing contract.
The Dutchman and Skriniar have been regular fixtures in the three-man backline over the past few years, but Inter are supposedly more open to letting De Vrij exit on a free rather than Skriniar.
The 30-year-old was benched by Francesco Acerbi for Inter's clashes with Roma and Sassuolo earlier this month, but he was back in the first XI for last week's victory over Salernitana.
Ben Knapton
