Triple Mourinho blow as top target shatters Man Utd transfer hopes

Jose Mourinho’s efforts to bring in a new central defender to Manchester United have suffered yet another blow after a top target’s agent admitted talks were talking place over a new deal.

The United boss was frustrated over the summer after efforts to sign the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Diego Godin and Harry Maguire all failed to materialise.

However, with plans for the winter window taking shape, Mourinho was thought to have targeted moves for either Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan and his cross-city rival Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan.

A report on Tuesday even suggested the United boss was willing to cash in on Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo in order to finance a swoop for his dream defensive signing.

However, efforts to land Skriniar now look like a non-starter with his agent stating that talks over a new deal with the Nerazzurri were underway and making a point of emphasising the Slovakian’s happiness at the San Siro.

“We’re talking about a new deal,” agent Karol Csonto said when asked about a potential contract extension for Skriniar.

“We’re working on it. It’s a subject we’ll be facing more intensively over the next few months.”

In a further blow to Mourinho’s hopes of landing the defender, Csonto is adamant Skriniar – who is contracted to Inter until 2022 – is settled at the club, adding: “He is happy with the Nerazzurri shirt, he is playing well, but he is aware there are some difficulties in Serie A.

 

READ MORE: Who the Prem’s big six teams should sign in January

 

“Inter had won seven games in a row prior to the loss against Atalanta. He is doing well. I’m happy.

“He is happy to be playing in the Champions League.

“Clearly, the goal is to grow with the team and improve day by day.”

Milan Skriniar TEAMtalk

And in a third setback to the United manager’s hopes, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti claimed he would expect a £89m fee for the defender if he were to be lured away from the San Siro.

“How much does Skriniar cost? €100million,” he said.

“If I were Barca, I would pay €120m and say that €20m are the tip.

“If I were Real Madrid, I would give €140m, including a €40m tip.”

A separate report in the Independent, meanwhile, claims Mourinho is set for more transfer frustration in January with United currently looking unlikely to sign anyone in the mid-season window.

The report comes just a day after the United boss was told he would have to secure a top-four finish as a minimum to ensure he would avoid the sack this summer.

 

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