Inter Milan could be forced to auction off several of their elite stars amid their ongoing financial strife, and one target in particular will interest Tottenham and Manchester United, per a report.
The reigning Serie A champions were hit hard by the financial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The summer sales of Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku were a direct result. The pair generated over £150m in fees, though per the Daily Express, Inter’s problems still persist.
Citing Italian outlet Calciomercato, it’s revealed the club are seeking an ‘£85m’ cash injection. As ever in football, the quickest way to generate that level of money is through player sales.
Four players are namechecked in the outlet as potentially being up for grabs.
Striker Lautaro Martinez and midfielder Nicolo Barella are listed. Martinez was a summer target for Tottenham with The Times even suggesting a fee had been agreed before the plug was pulled.
However, trusted transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently revealed Martinez is on the verge of penning fresh terms that will keep him at the San Siro until 2026. In similar fashion, Romano declared on Wednesday Barella too is in line for a new deal.
That leaves just Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Skriniar on Calciomercato’s list, and it is the latter who is of most interest.
The Slovakian ace, 26, had been linked with Spurs throughout the summer window. It was believed Director of Football Fabio Paratici would give Tottenham an edge in negotiations. However, they ultimately changed course and landed Cristian Romero instead.
Skriniar was most recently indexed to Manchester United via a swap deal that would remove their Donny Van de Beek problem. Though given Inter’s financial needs, a straight sale appears a likelier bet.
Tottenham and Manchester United both signed expensive centre-halves this summer in the forms of Romero and Raphael Varane.
Their desire to land Skriniar could therefore be diminished. However, a player of Skriniar’s calibre will undoubtedly prove difficult to turn down if Inter do indeed look to sell.
Assessing who will be the next Premier League manager to get the sack
Tottenham find new Harry Kane?
Meanwhile, Tottenham chiefs will soon make a big striker decision in their quest to find the next Harry Kane.
Kane was heavily linked with Manchester City during the summer transfer window. Pep Guardiola’s side launched a bid worth £100m which was swiftly knocked back.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was determined not to sell for less than £160m. City did not want to meet his asking price and Kane remained in north London.
He is now 28 years old which means Spurs are looking for long-term successors. And per the latest report, they believe they have found one within their own ranks.
90Min now write that Tottenham backroom staff are convinced on the ability of 19-year-old Troy Parrott. They are trying to prevent the club’s hierarchy from buying another striker, so Parrott’s route into the first team is not blocked.
The Republic of Ireland international is thought to have ‘sky-high’ potential. He is a product of Tottenham’s academy and it is hoped he can emerge into the squad in a similar way to Kane.
READ MORE: Tottenham chief Paratici makes ‘really, really big’ promise; gives transfer insight
The post Tottenham, Man Utd on high alert with prized Inter asset up for grabs appeared first on TEAMtalk.
