According to football journalist Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have been handed the opportunity to sign Milan Skriniar. Inter Milan are prepared to include the 27-year-old defender as part of the deal to sign Romelu Lukaku, who is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge following a disastrous return to England. Lukaku has already agreed to take up a large pay cut in order to return to Inter Milan. But the Italian giants are expected to face financial roadblocks in their efforts to re-sign the Belgian, knowing Chelsea will be keen on recouping the majority of the fortune they had spent on the player last summer.

A loan deal has been mooted as a possibility, although Inter Milan would still have to pay a premium in order to attain his services. Chelsea have recently expressed the desire to include Denzel Dumfries in a potential swap deal, but it appears Inter Milan are not too keen on losing the Dutchman anytime soon.

They are, however, prepared to offload Skriniar. The 27-year-old Slovakian international is facing an uncertain future at the Giuseppe Meazza in light of a massive rebuild in the Inter Milan backline. Skriniar’s current deal at the club expires in 2023, while the Nerazzurri are closing in on the capture of Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer.

It could pave the way for Skriniar to leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window. Tottenham have expressed the desire to sign the defensive stalwart, with coach Antonio Conte keen on a potential reunion in north London.  Antonio Rudiger has agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while both Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta have been subjected to a move to FC Barcelona. Marcos Alonso could join the list as well, potentially becoming the third Chelsea player to join the Blaugrana ahead of the new season.  The addition of Skriniar, therefore, could go a long way in helping Chelsea add some stability and experience to the table.