Inter plan to keep Milan Skriniar and sign a low-cost defender like Lazio’s Francesco Acerbi or former Lyon defender Jason Denayer rather than focusing on a top-class defender to reinforce the first-choice back three.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Nerazzurri’s strategy will be to keep the Slovakian unless Paris Saint-Germain really test their resolve by returning with a huge offer of at least €70 million for him.
Atalanta’s Merih Demiral is one name on Inter’s list in defense, having inquired about the 24-year-old’s availability in June when he was in flux between Juventus and Atalanta, and he could become a factor in talks for the signature of Andrea Pinamonti who is a target for La Dea.
Meanwhile, Borrussia Dortmund’s Manuel Akanji is also liked by the Nerazzurri, although the German club’s €20-25 million price tag for the 27-year-old could put them off.
Lastly, there is also Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic on the Nerazzurri’s radar, and he would cost around €15 million, but like Demiral and Akanji would be seen as more of an alternative to Torino’s Bremer or replacement for Skriniar.
Now that Bremer has not arrived, the Nerazzurri are not convinced by anyone else to directly replace Skriniar, and so they want to keep hold of the 27-year-old.
This does not mean that another defender is not sought, but the aim is to sign someone who will not be too expensive, such as Acerbi, or Denayer who is available on a free transfer after departing Lyon at the end of his contract.
