According to a recent report by the Italian news outlet Corriere Dello Sport (translated by Four Four Two), Real Madrid will clash heads with Barcelona in pursuit of Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar. The same source has claimed that the Serie A outfit will be hoping for a bidding war between the two Spanish teams, but any deal will have to wait until the end of this campaign.
Los Blancos had made a tough start to this season, but they have managed to turn things around in recent weeks. Zinedine Zidane could benefit from rebuilding his squad this winter if he wants his side to challenge domestically as well as in Europe this season.
Skriniar’s Incredible Form At The San Siro This Season
Skriniar has established himself as an integral member of Antonio Conte’s first-team and is currently one of the best centre-backs in Italian football. The Slovak defensive ace has featured in 16 matches for the San Siro outfit this term and has one assist to his name in all competitions.
The 24-year-old has been immense at the back for Inter in the UEFA Champions League group-stages. He is currently averaging 2.8 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 3.0 clearances per game in Europe this season (stats via whoscored). However, those numbers take a slight dip when he is playing in the Italian top-flight, as he has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per league match for Conte’s team (stats via whoscored). Skriniar has also earned 23 international caps for Slovakia but is yet to open his goal-scoring account for his country.
What Will The Serie A Rising Star Add To Zidane’s Team?
Skriniar has decent pace in his locker to make recovering tackles at the back when left in a 1v1 footrace with the opposition. His defensive awareness is on par with the best centre-backs in European football. The Slovakia international has often come to his side’s rescue by making some vital interceptions at the back.
The Galacticos need to think about the future and consider bringing in a long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard has struggled to perform well at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in this calendar year so Zidane could choose to replace him with Skriniar. He has the potential to be an ideal centre-back partner for Raphael Varane at the heart of the Madrid backline for years to come.
At 24, Skriniar is about to embark upon the prime years of his career, so it makes sense for Madrid to go all out in pursuit of his services next summer.
