Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly identified Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar as a potential summer transfer target.
Despite a successful end to the high-profile saga of Kylian Mbappe, PSG's summer business is currently being held up due to ongoing speculation about their management team.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to follow sporting director Leonardo in departing Parc des Princes, their replacements potentially being Christophe Galtier and Jorge Campos respectively.
Nevertheless, that is not to say that club officials have not been monitoring the market, the onus on finding value for money in light of the huge pay-rise handed to Mbappe.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, that could be found in the form of Skriniar, who has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe during his time at San Siro.
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In five years at Inter, Skriniar has made 215 appearances in all competitions, helping the club to a Serie A title and Coppa Italia trophy during that period.
However, there has been talk in recent days that Skriniar could be allowed to move on for the right price or as part of a proposal to reunite with Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.
It also emerged on Wednesday that fellow centre-back Alessandro Bastoni would be remaining at the club, despite the potential of recouping in excess of £50m for the Italy international.
That stance has increased the chances of Skriniar departing I Nerazzurri with just a year remaining on his contract, something which will not have gone unnoticed by many of European football's top clubs.
While Chelsea's need for new central defenders is obvious, the same cannot be said of PSG who already have an established partnership in that area of the pitch.
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Regardless of who replaces Pochettino, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos will remain as first choice with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Abdou Diallo providing backup.
PSG may theoretically attempt to part ways with one of the latter two players in order to facilitate a move for Skriniar should it become apparent that the player wants to move to Paris.
As it stands, no price-tag has been mentioned for Skriniar, with Romano saying that PSG are yet to lodge a formal approach for the 27-year-old.
If the Slovakia international is made available for transfer, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur may also make their own bids, the latter being managed by Skriniar's former boss Antonio Conte.
Darren Plant
