Serie A side drop interest in Tottenham man, as hopes of swap deal fade

Serge Aurier, Tanguy Ndombele TEAMtalk

Inter Milan have no intention of pursuing a swap deal with Tottenham between Tanguy Ndombele and Milan Skriniar, according to reports.

Tottenham midfielder Ndombele was linked with a departure over the summer after an unsuccessful first season in the Premier League. Inter were one of the main suitors for his signature.

Antonio Conte was keen to strengthen his midfield at Inter, and thought Ndombele would be a good target if he could recapture the form he showed previously at Lyon.

With Spurs interested in Inter defender Skriniar, a swap deal could have occurred that would have benefitted both parties.

Both Skriniar and Ndombele have the same asking price of €60m, which could have made the deal even easier. However, nothing came to be.

Since the transfer window closed earlier this month, there have been rumours that Spurs could go back in for Skriniar when it opens again in January.

Tottenham signed Joe Rodon from Swansea to add depth in defence. However, Skriniar would bring much more experience of top level football.


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It seems Spurs’ chances of signing Skriniar in January are slim, though. According to Fabrizio Romano, writing for Calciomercato, Inter have dropped their interest in Ndombele.

Despite a “serious dialogue” happening about the potential transfer over the summer, Inter decided against bidding for Ndombele. They felt the asking price, even though it was the same as theirs for Skriniar, was too high.

Tottenham wanted to recoup the same fee they paid Lyon for Ndombele in 2019. That price has put off Inter, who turned their attention to other targets.

Indeed, Inter signed Arturo Vidal to reunite him with Conte after their time together at Juventus. Romano states that Vidal was always Conte’s “real priority”.

Therefore, the Serie A club have ruled out a swap deal between Ndombele and Skriniar in January.

 

Mourinho sees Ndombele improving

While Inter’s decision may be a blow for Spurs’ hopes of signing Skriniar, the good news for the Premier League club is that Ndombele is starting to find his feet.

Jose Mourinho has been impressed with the way the midfielder has started the season, praising him on multiple occasions.

The most recent example was at the end of September, when the Tottenham boss gave plaudits to the Frenchman for his performance against Chelsea.

“He is playing amazing,” Mourinho said. “He is playing so, so well. You can feel the happiness and a happy player his performance goes in the right direction.

“Physically he can be better, he has to be better, he will be better, but in this moment if you compare this Tanguy with the Tanguy of last season, the Tanguy of this pre-season – a pre-season he did not have much of because of his injury and other problems – there is no point in comparing because they are so different.”

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