Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a replacement for Paul Pogba, with Real Madrid and PSG also interested in the Lazio star.
According to a report from the print edition of Corriere della Serra, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United have identified Lazio midfield mainstay Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a candidate to replace contract rebel Paul Pogba. However, the Red Devils could face competition from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in pursuit of the Serb.
Milinkovic-Savic has been with Lazio since 2015 when he arrived from Belgian outfit Genk and has grown into one of the most reliable midfielders in Serie A over the years. To date, the 26-year-old has racked up 264 appearances for the Italian capital club, scoring 50 goals and setting up 43 more.
Capped 28 times by the Serbian national team, Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to Manchester United since the time when Jose Mourinho was the manager at Old Trafford. A move, however, has yet to materialise, but things could change next summer if the report mentioned above is to be believed.
It is stated that Manchester United have rekindled their interest in the 26-year-old ahead of 2022. And, a move for him would make a lot of sense for the Red Devils, considering the situation surrounding Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is in the final year of his contract and has shown no indication of wanting to sign a new contract.
If anything, Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has hinted that the Frenchman could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer at the end of the season. In addition to that, Donny van de Beek is also staring at an uncertain future with the 20-time English champions, having failed to establish himself as a regular starter since arriving from AFC Ajax.
Such a situation would warrant Manchester United delving into the market for a midfielder, and Milinkovic-Savic would make for a viable target given his age, profile and experience at the highest level. However, the Red Devils may have to compete with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign the Lazio midfield mainstay.
Both Real Madrid and PSG are coincidentally after the signing of Pogba as well. And if they miss out on his services, the report says they will target a move for Milinkovic-Savic as an alternative to the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner. With Los Blancos needing a long-term heir for Luka Modric and Les Parisiens looking to move on from ageing midfielders like Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye, the Serb can be a good signing.
The report further states that Lazio president Claudio Lotito had been putting off suitors by demanding a massive transfer fee for Milinkovic-Savic. But that could be set to change next summer as the 26-year-old is growing in stature and could help the club raise some serious cash from his sale, especially with the Serie A outfit going through a difficult financial situation.
It remains to be seen if any of Manchester United, Real Madrid or PSG attempt to sign Milinkovic-Savic in the summer of next year or decide to look at other options instead.
