Man Utd ready to step up £52.5m Milan Skriniar transfer hunt with Inter Milan willing to sell defender this summer

MANCHESTER UNITED are hoping to sign highly-rated Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar this summer, according to reports.

The 25-year-old's performances for Antonio Conte's side have put him on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs.

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Technically proficient and physically imposing, the 6ft 2in defender is viewed by many as the ideal modern defender.

And according to the Mirror, Inter have decided to cash in on the Slovakian - despite him still having three years remaining on his contract.

The Italians, who currently occupy a Champions League spot in the Serie A table, will demand around £52.5million for Skriniar - having splashed out £30m to sign him from Sampdoria in 2017.

This deal made him the most expensive Slovakian in football history, and any move away from San Siro would smash that record once again.

He has made 118 appearances at the heart of Inter's defence as they have steadily improved in the last three years.

The likes of Manchester City and Barcelona have been interested in Skriniar.

But United's biggest competition will come from Real Madrid.

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Zinedine Zidane's side believe that Skriniar could be a long-term replacement for 15-year stalwart Sergio Ramos, now 34.

United, meanwhile, want to sign a centre-back to partner last summer's £85m acquisition Harry Maguire.

Victor Lindelof has predominantly featured alongside the England international, with Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe also having had a go.

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But the Red Devils want a top-class partner for Maguire, and have also been linked with Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

Attracting Skriniar or Koulibaly, however, could depend on whether they qualify for the Champions League.

Prior to the suspension of the Premier League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had occupied fifth place in the table - enough to qualify for Europe's elite competition owing to neighbours City's upcoming ban.