Manchester United are reportedly readying a £72 million bid for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as the club braces for a future without Paul Pogba.
According to Daily Mail, Manchester United might be getting ready for a future without Paul Pogba. The French midfielder has been public about his wish for a new adventure. The Red Devils have reignited their interest in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and are now readying an £72 million bid for the Lazio midfielder.
Paul Pogba has not hidden his desire for a summer exit amid interest from Real Madrid and former club Juventus. The Frenchman is reportedly not looking to hand in a transfer request but is hoping to push through a move away from Manchester United after spending three years at the club.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, in that aspect, could be the perfect like-for-like replacement for Manchester United. The Lazio midfielder has a similar build and playing style and has been bred in Serie A, like Pogba. His 2018-19 season was not a bright one, with Milinkovic-Savic recording 7 goals and 3 assists in the entire campaign.
But, these numbers do not dilute his potential and his statistics from 2017-18. Interestingly, Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with Manchester United year-after-year, with the links re-emerging after Paul Pogba’s public admission of wanting a transfer.
Manchester United actively working on getting Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. Starting price 75m€.
Opening the way to Pogba.
Juventus and Real Madrid on him, but Real Madrid at the moment way ahead on offer, unless Dybala would accept to è in swap— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 6, 2019
Manchester United have already bid Ander Herrera adieu. But, with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba both being linked with summer moves, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could lose his entire first-choice midfield trio in one single transfer window. United have been linked with a move for Bruno Fernandes but would still need a couple of more signings in order to replace the entire midfield.
Sean Longstaff’s trail could go cold, especially with Newcastle United placing a hefty and ludicrous £50 million price tag on the Manchester United target. Scott McTominay, James Garner and Andreas Pereira could be good options for the third player in rotation.
But, bringing in Milinkovic-Savic would go a long way in solving United’s midfield issues. The Lazio midfielder could not only suffice the want for a replacement for Pogba but also be a better prospect for Solskjaer’s style of football that requires a high work-rate.
Lazio will reportedly hold out for £90 million and with Manchester United’s initial potential bid not being that far away from their valuation, we could see a quick resolution. The entire transfer though, will depend on whether Pogba does indeed get his wish of a summer exit.
There are recent reports that indicate Paul Pogba could stay and needs assurances of the club going in the right direction. If that is indeed the case, it will be interesting to see if United call off their pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic or look to bring him in to partner Pogba in midfield.
