Real Madrid are reportedly set to make an €135 million offer for Serbian midfield sensation and Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
European champions Real Madrid are preparing a bumper offer for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, as per reports from Spanish outlet Don Balon. The midfielder is also a target for Premier League giants Manchester United.
Having lost superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus earlier this week, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is understood to be intent on making a statement signing heading into the new season. And he has reportedly identified the 23-year old Milinkovic-Savic as a viable target and is prepared to launch an offer worth €135 million – €100 million being the fixed transfer fee and the rest in performance-related variables.
Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as one of the hottest prospects across Europe, after a series of impressive displays for Lazio over the past couple of seasons. The midfielder finished the 2017/18 campaign with exceptional returns of 14 goals and 9 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
The seven-time capped Serbian international also managed to show glimpses of his immense talent in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as the Serbians were eliminated in the group stages only.
Milinkovic-Savic’s consistent performances have seen his stock constantly rise and Lazio have slapped a €150 million price tag on the player and haven’t shown any signs of softening their stance on the valuation. Yet, Madrid are hoping that the €135 million package would be able to convince the Italians to let go of their prized asset this summer.
President Perez is keen on infusing some fresh blood into the squad, as the Merengues look to begin a new era under freshly appointed manager Julen Lopetegui. And to that end, the supremo is willing to sanction the sale of midfield mainstay Luka Modric, who reportedly has been a subject of transfer interest from Bayern Munich.
Modric’s compatriot, Mateo Kovacic, is expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with Manchester City interested in the Croatian. The future of Modric’s midfield partner Toni Kroos is also a subject of speculation, with both Manchester clubs understood to be monitoring the German international. And Perez wants to be prepared for any possible departures with the signing of Milinkovic-Savic.
The 23-year old has long been linked with a move to Manchester United, with the Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho understood to be a huge admirer of the midfielder’s abilities. The Portuguese is keen on bolstering his midfield options ahead of the next season, and has already added Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk already this summer, but remains hopeful of adding the Serbian starlet.
Milinkovic-Savic has a contract with Lazio that runs till the summer of 2022, but his time with the Serie A outfit seems to be surely drawing towards an end. However, it remains to be seen where the midfielder ends up before the next campaign kicks off.
