Gossip: Skriniar price slashed; Real to offer Hazard swap

Ian Watson 03 Dec 2020 7:32 AM

MOURINHO OFFERED SKRINIAR BARGAIN
One for Jose Mourinho to mull over: Milan Skriniar is available for a knockdown price.

The Inter Milan defender was one of Mourinho’s top targets last summer and a deal looked on in the later stages of the window but Spurs couldn’t agree terms with the Italians.

But Inter’s position is said to have changed. According to Fabrizio Romano, they need the money so they are willing to sell Skriniar in January.

Around £45million ought to do it and the move, apparently, is now up to Mourinho.

TOON TARGET TOMORI
Newcastle are also looking to strengthen their defence but Steve Bruce is looking at loans rather than lavish purchases.

The Toon have been heavily linked with Brandon Williams who is yet to start a Premier League game for Manchester United this season. Fikayo Tomori is in a similar position at Chelsea, and Bruce is said to be keen on both.

Goal reckons Newcastle are among several European clubs willing to take Tomori in January for the rest of the season. The centre-back will be 23 before Christmas and needs playing time.

He could have got that at West Ham but Tomori swerved a loan move across London in the last moments of the summer window. Silly boy.

REAL TO TEMPT PSG WITH SWAP
Real Madrid have more immediate problems than funding a deal for Kylian Mbappe. But reports on Tuesday suggested they couldn’t manage that with a simple cash transaction, so they are having to be creative.

One solution could be to send Eden Hazard to PSG in part-exchange for Mbappe. According to OK Diario, that’s an idea Real are hoping to tempt PSG with come the summer, when Mbappe will be a year from the end of his contract.

Hazard is one of a number of Real stars with whom Zinedine Zidane has lost faith. Sport puts Martin Odegaard, Vinicius and Rodrygo in a similar bracket, but Zidane may be more concerned for his immediate job prospects.

Marca suggests Mauricio Pochettino is the front runner for the Real job should they sack their coach. The PSG post is said to appeal to Pochettino too, who continues to be linked with Manchester United. Should any of the three clubs exit the Champions League next week then Pochettino could be back in the game.

Life begins at 30. So did this lot’s time in the Premier League. Have we missed any golden oldies?