Inter defender Milan Skriniar has confirmed that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has expressed an interest in signing him this summer. With the Red Devils in the market for several additions during the current transfer window, their gaze has drifted towards San Siro. Mourinho, a former Inter boss, had been hoping that a highly-rated defender on the books in Milan could be lured to Old Trafford and bolster his back line. Skriniar has admitted to an approach being made, with the 23-year-old flattered to have been identified as a target for United. He has, however, spent just one season with Inter and intends to stay put for the foreseeable future. Skinriar told the Slovakian football federation’s official website: “Manchester United? I heard from them and it made me proud. “But I’m even happier that Inter decided to reject it and that they believe so much in me.” Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been credited with holding an interest in Skriniar after seeing him star in Serie A. One season at Sampdoria earned him a €20 million move to Inter in 2017, with his reputation and price tag having risen again over the last 12 months. Skriniar has, however, sought to end the rumours surrounding a potential summer switch on a regular basis. He told Pravda in May: “I don’t know about any particular offer, I have no reason to leave, and I don’t think Inter would sell me anyway. “I also love the fact that we’ll play in the Champions League, I’m looking forward to it.” It appears unlikely that Skriniar will be relaxing that stance, with United and Madrid having to turn their attention elsewhere in the pursuit of a new centre-half.

Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli made a mistake excluding Inter striker Mauro Icardi from his World Cup squad, according to former defender Javier Zanetti. Icardi finished the Serie A campaign with 29 goals, taking his overall tally in the league for Inter to a century, but was not named in Sampaoli's final 23 for the tournament in Russia. The 25-year-old was overlooked again following the injury sustained to Manuel Lanzini, with Argentina instead calling-up Enzo Perez to replace the West Ham midfielder in the squad. Despite his incredible form at club level, Icardi has earned just four caps for Argentina, but Zanetti believes he will earn more chances in the coming years. "Mauro Icardi deserved an opportunity for what he did and what he has been doing. I would have liked him to be with us in Russia," Zanetti told reporters. "He is very young and has a lot of future ahead of him. He will have the opportunity to be part of the Argentine National Team." Argentina struggled in their opening Group D match at the World Cup, seeing Lionel Messi have a penalty saved in a 1-1 with tournament debutants Iceland, and Zanetti spoke of his nation's difficulties in the build-up to Russia 2018. "I do not know if the discussion around Argentina should be about if they have enough as it's just a different stage. This team has great players," he added. "You have to give it time because the qualifiers were difficult and there was a change of coach."

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta insists the club cannot sign Inter striker Mauro Icardi this summer, insisting reports suggesting such are "fantasy football". Juve have been linked with a move for the mercurial Argentina international, with several outlets suggesting that Gonzalo Higuain could move the other way. Marotta, though, says such talk is nonsense, and has scotched any suggesting that Inter have entered into negotiations with Icardi, who scored 29 goals in 34 Serie A appearances this season. “Juventus players are considered unsellable, up until the moment they ask to be sold," he told reporters. "In the case of Higuain, even if he’s at the World Cup, we’ve received no such request. “Icardi is a suggestion. Obviously we’re talking about an excellent player, one who belongs to Inter, and then there are these news reports that we’ve approached him. “All that falls into the realms of fantasy, fantasy football.” Juve have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Mattia Perin this summer, and are also hopeful of completing the acquisition of Emre Can from Liverpool on a free transfer. “We’re optimistic on Emre Can,” Marotta confirmed. “We can say that the contact with his representatives has started and are going well. We hope we can reach a conclusion in 10 days.” Juve won a seventh straight Scudetto in 2017-18, finishing four points ahead of second-placed Napoli.

Bayern Munich should sell Robert Lewandowski and buy Inter star Mauro Icardi to replace him, according to former striker Luca Toni. Lewandowski's agent said last month that the Poland international "needs a change and a new challenge in his career", possibly paving the way for a move to Real Madrid. The European champions have been credited with an interest in the Bundesliga's runaway top scorer, though Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has denied claims the clubs have discussed him in recent meetings. The possibility of Lewandowski leaving the Bavarian outfit has raised some concerns over who should replace him, but the solution is a simple one for ex-Bayern and Italy forward Toni. The 41-year-old sees no reason for Bayern to hold Lewandowski back if he wants to go, telling Sport Bild: "If a player wants to go, you should let him go." And the former Juventus No.9 is confident that a suitable successor is already lying in wait, with Icardi being linked with a move away from Inter again after his 29-goal season in Serie A. "Mauro Icardi from Inter would be perfect for Bayern, he is very strong and younger," he said of the 25-year-old. Icardi himself has said his future depends on Inter's situation, stating he is willing to leave if it is in the best interests in the club. "If it's good for the team that I stay, then I'll stay, otherwise I will leave," he said. "I always do what is best for the club and the team. When the season ends, we'll talk to the club and see what is best for them." Icardi's agent and wife said last month that many clubs are willing to match the forward's release clause in the next transfer market, while coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his side may be unable to prevent him from leaving in the near future.