In what comes as a potential blow to Tottenham’s transfer hopes, Milan Skriniar has been named in the starting line up by Antonio Conte for Inter Milan’s clash against Lazio this afternoon.
Reports over the past few days have indicated that the Slovakian is Tottenham’s main centre-back target before the transfer window shuts on Monday night (Football.London).
However, Fabrizio Romano claimed this morning that the Italian club are unlikely to accept any offer from Spurs for the 25-year-old this late in the transfer window since they do not have enough time to buy a replacement.
He suggested that the Lilywhites might turn their attentions towards Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger instead.
Skriniar has now been named in the starting line up by Conte for two successive games, after also starting in the 5-2 win over Benevento in midweek.
The centre-back was left on the bench by the former Chelsea boss for Inter’s season opener against Fiorentina but now looks to have won his place back in the starting eleven.
Spurs Web Opinion
While Skriniar starting this game is not a good sign for Tottenham’s prospects of landing him, it does not rule out the possibility of him leaving. Starting him could be a part of Inter’s negotiating tactic to get Spurs to agree to their demands. However, Conte certainly does not seem like the kind of coach who would play players whose heads are elsewhere. So this deal does look unlikely to go through.
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