Manchester City are almost through agreeing a deal to sign Inter Milan defender Milan Škriniar, according to a report.
The centre-back, who has 31 caps for Slovakia, has been at the San Siro for two-and-a-half seasons.
In that time, he’s made over 100 appearances and become a key part of what is now Italy’s best defence, playing alongside Stefan de Vrij and Diego Godín.
According to El Desmarque, City could be prepared to shell out £80 million – matching what Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer.
Real Madrid are also keen on the 25-year-old, but Pep Guardiola’s side are said to have the upper hand at this time, with reports going as far as to say a deal is “very close” to being agreed upon.
However, the high price could be down to the fact that Škriniar signed a new contract as recently as last May, stating at the time that he was “not planning to change [clubs]”.
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Aymeric Laporte has recently returned from a long-term injury, and City are said to be in search for his ideal partner, with Guardiola less than convinced by John Stones’ performances this season, and Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi ageing.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
