Chelsea handed boost in race to sign PSG target - Reports

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring the contract situation of Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, who has also been on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) since the summer transfer window.

Skriniar, 27, has been a crucial first-team starter for the Nerazzurri since arriving from Sampdoria for a fee of €20 million in 2017. He has helped his club win three trophies, including the 2020-21 Serie A title.

A towering center-back renowned for his tackling and heading, Skriniar has been the talk of the town since the start of the 2022-23 campaign. PSG identified the Slovak, whose current contract is set to expire next summer, as their top defensive target earlier this summer. However, the Parisians eventually failed with their bid of over €60 million.

Fabrizio Romano

@FabrizioRomano

Inter CEO Marotta: “I’m optimistic to get Milan Škriniar’s contract renewal done and sealed, we are confident”. #Inter

Inter have offered him new long term deal plus captain’s armand.

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Inter CEO Marotta: “I’m optimistic to get Milan Škriniar’s contract renewal done and sealed, we are confident”. 🚨🔵 #Inter

Inter have offered him new long term deal plus captain’s armand. https://t.co/CE9GiNvhaR

According to FCInterNews, Chelsea have approached Skriniar's agents to discuss his situation as Inter is currently stuck in a contract limbo with the defender. So far, Skriniar has rebuffed a wage proposal of €5.5 million-a-year plus up to €500,000 in bonuses from the Serie A giants.

While PSG are still on the sidelines with a lucrative contract offer for next summer, Skriniar is hopeful of a Nerazzuri contract of over €6.5 million-a-year plus bonuses, as per the aforementioned report.

Earlier this month, Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti shed light on his club's stance on offering the MSK Zilina academy graduate a contract extension. He told SportMediaset (via OneFootball):

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"We're in talks and the conditions are there to find an agreement to move forward together. We hope that it can be resolved as soon as possible, everyone will be happy."

GuillaumeMP

@Guillaumemp

Gazzetta : Milan #Skriniar n'a toujours pas prolongé son contrat, mais l'Inter reste confiante. Le rendez-vous avec son entourage a été repoussé à décembre, les discussions tournent autour des bonus. L'Inter propose 6M tout compris, le défenseur aimerait 6,5M+bonus.

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Gazzetta : Milan #Skriniar n'a toujours pas prolongé son contrat, mais l'Inter reste confiante. Le rendez-vous avec son entourage a été repoussé à décembre, les discussions tournent autour des bonus. L'Inter propose 6M tout compris, le défenseur aimerait 6,5M+bonus. https://t.co/y42JBfzuCa

Overall, Skriniar has netted 11 goals and contributed four assists in 236 matches across all competitions for the Simone Inzaghi-coached side.

Jason Cundy claims he would pick Chelsea's Mason Mount over PSG's Neymar

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur defender Jason Cundy insisted that he would pick Blues midfielder Mason Mount over PSG star Neymar in his team. He elaborated:

"I tell you why Neymar doesn't get near any team that I want to support is because it's him. He's not a team player. Yes, 100% [I'd take Mount over him]. And I'll tell you why because Neymar won't do what Mount does. He won't do the dirty work."

Sharing his thoughts on Neymar, Cundy added:

"If you're not a team player, you can't get in the team. Neymar is not a team player, he's not. Can you imagine if Neymar was English and in [Gareth] Southgate's squad? Can you imagine the disruption of what it would do or the effect it would have? He's not part of the game, he's Neymar. It's more than just a player."

While Mount has registered two goals and six assists in 21 matches for Chelsea in the ongoing 2022-23 season, Neymar has scored 15 goals and laid out 12 assists in 20 appearances for the Parisians.

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