If there is one thing that Manchester City will point to as ruining their campaign, it would be Aymeric Laporte’s injury.
The Frenchman being ruled out, alongside similar injury concerns for John Stones and a lack of options, left City short in the position for the majority of this season.
Indeed, such has been their lack of options, Fernandinho has played in the position for most of the year to middling success.
Many predicted Pep Guardiola to try and solve the issue with a big-money purchase in January but ultimately that never happened, with him instead showing faith in his current options.
It seems, though, they may have made every attempt to try and get the long-term partner for Laporte they desperately need.
According to CalcioMercato, Manchester City saw a huge bid for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar rejected by the Serie A side.
The website reports that City made a bid of €65m + €5m in bonuses but Inter rejected it outright for the same reasons they told Barcelona to look elsewhere too.
Antonio Conte’s side aren’t interested in selling Skriniar as they view him as a player for ‘the present and the future’ and don’t want to lose him, particularly this year when they’re battling for the title.
That would change if they were to be presented with a proposal ‘in excess’ of €90m. However, that is ‘currently unlikely’ according to CalcioMercato, suggesting Manchester City may be looking elsewhere for the centre back they need.
