Levy lines up new talks to sign defender as Tottenham learn major edge

Daniel Levy Tottenham Hotspur TEAMtalk

Tottenham are poised to hold new talks with Inter Milan in a bid to secure the summer signing of Milan Skriniar.

Jose Mourinho wanted to bring the Slovakia centre-back to the club last summer. Spurs offered a fee in the region of £30m, but Inter wanted more and turned down the approach. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tottenham have been closer to Skriniar than anyone else for months. But as yet a breakthrough remains a long way away. And now with the defender back in favour at Inter his price tag appears to have risen considerably.

However, that does not mean Inter are unwilling to sell. Now, according to Football Insider, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is set to a further round of talks with Inter director Giuseppe Marotta over a potential deal.

There are suggestions his new asking price has now been pegged at €60m. However, Football Insider say that is wide of the mark. Indeed, Spurs don’t have that kind of money to spend, nor can Inter command such a fee. But it’s stated a transfer does remain possible if common ground can be reached.

With Levy reportedly aware, Inter need to sell to help balance the books and amid a tough year economically. But on the field, things are going very well for Antonio Conte’s side. They are six points clear at the top and have a game in hand on nearest challengers AC Milan.

The report claims Inter almost accepted his sale in January to help ease the financial pressure. However, with the player now a vital cog in their defence, any deal was knocked back and put on hold until the summer.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is looking for a new defender as a possible long-term replacement for Toby Alderwiereld. The Belgian looks set to depart this summer, while Spurs could also cash in on Davinson Sanchez. The Colombian is back in favour under Mourinho, but could still be sold off, according to reports.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is predicting another “strange” window.

Jose Mourinho won't play games over Harry Kane future

Jose Mourinho won't play games over Harry Kane future

Tottenham head coach Jose Mourinho says he won't get drawn into speculation about the future of Harry Kane at the club.

“Of course I have an idea,” Mourinho said when asked if he knows what he wants his squad to look like next season. “Of course we share our ideas. When I say we, I say myself and the structure including obviously the boss. So we know what we want.

“But at the same time we can all expect a strange summer. I believe that it will be a bit strange in the sense of a different transfer window than in previous seasons.

“But at the moment I don’t think it is about anyone fighting for his future. It is about everyone fighting for the points we need to finish the season the best that we can.”


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Skriniar appears settled at Inter

The player himself has played down talk of a move away from the Italian giants.

“I always wanted to stay here. I’m happy to be performing more consistently,” he told the official Inter website in January.

Skriniar could not get himself into Antonio Conte’s team last season, but things have changed this time around.

He has made 22 Serie A starts this season as Inter look destined to win their first Scudetto for 11 years.

“This is no longer the crazy Inter,” Skriniar told Tuttosport last month“This is [coach Antonio] Conte’s Inter.”

READ MORE: Mourinho plays hardball over Harry Kane as hefty fee is put on Tottenham hero