Do Tottenham have a trump card in reported pursuit of Milan Skriniar? – TBR View

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly locked in talks to sign Inter Milan defender with transfer chief Steve Hitchen spotted in Milan as Spurs look to land the Slovakian star – but do the north Londoners have a trump card in the form of an England star?

Skriniar, 25, has emerged as one of Europe’s most in-form central defenders over the past three years at Inter Milan – since joining the club from Serie A side Sampdoria. Spurs are desperate to bring him to north London to replace Jan Vertonghen.

Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has published a report on his website, posting a picture of Hitchen in Milan and stating that both clubs are in talks. Inter want £55million, while Spurs are ready to offer £46million including bonuses.

It is believed that Skriniar is keen on a move to Spurs, despite Tottenham only qualifying for Europa League football. Daniel Levy is renowned for his tight stronghold on Tottenham’s financial coffers, so spending the best part of £50million would be tricky.

But Spurs have a trump card. The Telegraph state that Paris Saint-Germain have cooled their interest in Dele Alli, and are ready to pull out of a potential loan move – leaving Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan as the only club interested in the England midfielder.

With Inter looking to take Alli on loan – a move which would see Alli follow numerous Premier League stars to Conte’s Inter – perhaps Spurs have the secret ingedient necessary to get a deal done for Skriniar, and save them a wedge of cash.

Including a season-long loan for Alli at Inter in a deal for Skriniar might take the edge off what could be a very expensive transfer. A loan-plus-cash deal for Skriniar – including 24-year-old Alli – would be a stunning bit of business for Spurs.