Inter will turn their attention to Roma centre-back Chris Smalling if they are unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with Milan Skriniar.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Il Giorno, the Nerazzurri are pushing Skriniar to give them an answer as they seek to extend his contract, with his existing deal due to expire at the end of the season.
Whilst Inter remain hopeful that the Slovakia international will pen a new deal and commit his future to the club, directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio have already drawn up contingency plans to replace him.
The focus will be on a defender who will be available as a free agent, and England defender Smalling fits the bill as he approaches the end of his contract at the Stadio Olimpico.
Although the Giallorossi are keen to keep him, and Smalling has the option of a one-year extension should he wish to trigger it, Inter are hopeful that they can offer him more lucrative wages and convince him to make the move.
It would be a similar operation to that which brought midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the club from Roma in the summer, after Inter offered higher wages to the Armenian and convincing him to leave the Lupi.
Inter would be ready to offer Smalling a two-year contract worth €3.5 million per season, plus bonuses.
