Barcelona LaLiga Transfer news

Barcelona show interest in Milan Skriniar as Umtiti’s future hangs on a thread

Milan Skriniar battles for the ball with Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus during the International Champions Cup match between Juventus and FC Internazionale /  GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC
Milan Skriniar battles for the ball with Federico Bernardeschi during the International Champions Cup match between Juventus and FC Internazionale / GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC

Barcelona are showing interest in Milan Skriniar as the talks between the two clubs continue.

It seems that Barcelona and Inter might do more than just one transfer in the upcoming summer window. But while we wait for the final verdict on the potential acquisition of Lautaro Martínez, the Catalans and the Italians continue their long talks.

And now, according to a new report by Mundo Deportivo, Barça have inquired about the Slovak centre-back while the Nerazzurri also seem interested in Samuel Umtiti.

Of course, the main reason for their constant talks is still the Argentine jewel, Martínez, but Barcelona are showing interest in Milan Skriniar because they want to reinforce their central defence.

The 25-year-old centre-back is powerful and has great defensive abilities. This makes him an interesting prospect for the club to consider. But there is one problem – money.

Mundo Deportivo claim the Slovak might be quite expensive, given his status at the club and with Antonio Conte, as well as the length of his current contract which is due to expire in 2023.

The same report states Inter value him at 70 million euros, which might be too much. But there’s also another catch in the story – the Italians like Umtiti. Of course, the Frenchman has lost his starting position at Barcelona due to recent injuries and his form has consequently dipped after the 2018 World Cup.

Still, since the arrival of Quique Setién, Umtiti’s performances have gone up a level, hence the interest from Inter. But at the very moment, Mundo Deportivo claim, the Nerazzurri are yet to make a formal approach and are simply showing interest.

Barcelona, however, are willing to sell the Frenchman and it will be interesting to see how this story develops.