INTER MILAN have reportedly identified Chris Smalling as a possible target should Milan Skriniar depart.
With Tottenham in talks to lure the centre-back away from the San Siro, the Serie A side have targets in mind should they have to replace him.
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is reportedly being targeted by Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Smalling would link up with three former United team-mates should he join InterCredit: Getty – Pool
Inter are already short at the back after Diego Godin left on a free transfer to Cagliari – further intensifying their need for a new defender.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Inter’s No1 priority is Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic.
But they state it is unlikely they will be able to prise him away from Florence, with Manchester United outcast Smalling an easier deal to make.
It has been suggested that the Red Devils are prepared to sell the 30-year-old should they receive a fee in the region of £18million.
However Inter are only prepared to fork out £16.4m, which they would pay across three instalments.
Should Smalling join the Nerazzurri, he would link-up with former United team-mates Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young and Romelu Lukaku at the club.
And his arrival would be the sixth player from the Premier League Antonio Conte would have signed since he took charge last year.
In addition to the four United players, Inter also signed Christian Eriksen from Tottenham in January, while they also brought in Victor Moses on loan last term.
But Inter know they face competition from Roma in the race to secure Smalling’s services.
The Rome outfit are desperate to bring the ex-Fulham ace back to the Stadio Olimpico after his loan spell last campaign.
It has been said that Roma are preparing one last move to sign Smalling, with boss Paulo Fonseca revealing he is in regular contact with the player.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk