Italian journalist Enrico Mentana has said that Inter are stronger this season than last on paper now that they have kept Milan Skriniar, according to a report in the Italian broadcast media.

Speaking whilst on his Facebook profile, via FCInternews, the LA7 director explained how managing to keep Milan Skriniar despite the many bids from Paris Saint Germain is something that the directors at the club should be thanked for.

They had an opportunity to make at least €60 million at the end of the market but they chose to protect the core of the team instead.

“A necessary and heartfelt sigh of relief as a fan: Inter resisted the millionaire assault by PSG, and kept the defensive jewel Skriniar. At this point, having closed the market, we have to say thank you to the directors.”

He then went on to say that this season’s Inter team are stronger on paper than the one Simone Inzaghi had last season and that is mainly because they have held onto the key players who could very easily have been sold this summer instead.

“This year’s Inter, in my opinion, is stronger on paper than the one that last season brought home second place, Coppa Italia and the Super Cup.

“If we had had to sell Bastoni or Skriniar to make ends meet (as happened a year ago with Hakimi) many of us would have been angry, and very angry. But for this very reason, today we should be happy.”