Inter Vice-President Javier Zanetti feels that the failed contract extension negotiations with Milan Skriniar ultimately came down to the club’s inability to make an offer high enough for the defender to accept.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri executive gave his version of the background that has led to the Slovakian to decide to leave at the end of the season, whilst he also suggested that Inter face an excessive amount of criticism.
The dust is starting to settle as all party accept the situation that Skriniar has made the decision to leave Inter at the end of the current season.
The player had a contract extension offer on the table, but has made the decision to reject the offer and is instead set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer.
Asked if the situation could have been managed better, Zanetti replied that “I don’t know.”
“The way it happened it simple – we offered an extension that was within reach for us [financially], he evaluated it and declined.”
“That’s fine, we have to accept his decision.”
Zanetti then went on to say that “I think the most important thing has been the response from within the entire club.”
“We will have to put the player in a position to perform at his best,” he noted.
“The important thing is the good of the club, and he was the first person to understand that,” the Vice-President continued.
“Inter will go on, Skriniar will wear another shirt starting in July and we wish him the best.”
“Now it’s essential for us that he keeps performing as he did last night [in the derby],” he continued.
This has also meant that Skriniar will no longer be wearing the captain’s armband for the Nerazzurri.
Asked about this decision, Zanetti explained that “It’s a decision which above all concerns the future, Marotta was clear about this.”
“It was something that we all agreed was the best decision for the club, and he was the first person to understand that” he continued.
“Inter are moving forward, let’s look to the future.”
“Yesterday the captain was Lautaro, he’s the present and the future.”
Of how the season has gone so far, with Inter frustratingly finding themselves in Napoli’s wake in the title race, Zanetti commented that “We certainly could have picked up a few more points, but it’s part of a path that the team is on which has been consistent.”
“A decline can happen when they have to play so many matches close together,” he went on.
“I see the team looking like they want to always control matches, who know how to react to situations.”
“Inter, from Antonio’s first season onwards [former coach Conte], have always had a certain continuity over the past few seasons,” he suggested.
“I’m surprised when I see exaggerated criticism of a team who are still doing extraordinary things,” Zanetti said.
“We can improve, we’re aware of that, but then on the other hand we have to say that what Napoli are doing this season is extraordinary.”
