According to Italian media, Lazio have turned down a A?17.6 million from Manchester United for their defensive midfielder Lucas Biglia.
Lucas Biglia produced some good performances for Lazio last season as I Biancocelesti finished third in Serie A, behind Juventus and AS Roma.
The 29-year-old moved to Lazio in 2013, after spending seven seasons with Belgian club Anderlecht. The Argentine international, who played in the final of the 2014 World Cup, was linked with Arsenal before he moved to Serie A, and he has continued to draw attention from a host of European clubs in the past couple of seasons.
This summer, Liverpool, PSG, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid have all being linked with a move for the defensive midfielder. Back in May, his agent Enzo Montepaone insisted that they are expecting offers from a lot of clubs after such a wonderful season for the midfielder, but Biglia is keen to remain at Lazio.
United’s opening bid has been rejected
Italian media Corriere dello Sport are now claiming that Manchester United are interested in signing the former Anderlecht midfielder and that Lazio have already turned down an opening bid of A?17.6 million from the English club.
. Corriere dello Sport also claim that Lazio owner Claudio Lotito has set an asking price of A?28 million for the midfielder, if they are to consider selling him. Lazio manager Stefano Pioli sees Biglia as an important part of his squad and will go to lengths in order to retain him next season, especially with Champions League football knocking on the door of Stadio Olimpico.
Hard to see why Louis van Gaal needs him
It is hard to see why Manchester United will need another midfielder at this point, after they have already signed Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton and Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich. Despite the concerns over the fitness of Michael Carrick, Manchester United now have ample cover in the center of midfield. Given that Lucas Biglia is a more defensive minded midfielder than both of their new recruits, it is hard to see him getting a place in the starting line-up at Old Trafford at this point. Moreover, Lazioa s reported asking price is too high for a midfielder who is 29-year-old.