Once the transfer window closes around Europe, stories start coming out about why certain deals that looked set on happening never materialised.
One of those appeared to be that of Milan Škriniar to Tottenham, as José Mourinho made it clear he wanted a new centre-back and the Slovakian was the man he desired.
Negotiations took place, with various members of each club reportedly doing some back and forth between Italy and England, but a transfer was simply never agreed.
The reasons haven’t been explained by either club, but there have been various suggestions, such as FC Inter News believing Spurs’ offer simply came too late.
Well, Calciomercato have their own version of the events, and report the reason is one some might consider petty, while others see it as a matter of principle.
Either way, the Italian website explain that when Christian Eriksen, who was the subject of drawn out negotiations between the two sides, was transferred from Tottenham to Inter, Daniel Levy made it clear he wanted his €20m or so, and not a penny less.
The Serie A side eventually gave him what he wanted, but the roles were reversed and it came to Škriniar being wanted by Spurs, Beppe Marotta and co. employed the same tactic.
Wanting €60m for their man (or at best €50m with bonuses), the Italians stood their ground, but Tottenham’s offer never matched that, and discounts weren’t made out of principle.
Calciomercato are quick to point out the relationship between the two clubs hasn’t deteriorated and remains a good one, but the conditions are very clear: ‘no presents for either side’
