Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a €75 million move for Lazio and Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
As per a report from Italian publication Repubblica, Manchester United are closing in on a major transfer deal to sign Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Serie A giants Lazio, as they prepare for star man Paul Pogba’s departure to Real Madrid.
The Pogba transfer saga has been making the headlines all summer. The Manchester United midfielder dropped a major bomb when he claimed that he was looking for a new challenge next season. And speculations over his exit were further amped up when agent Mino Raiola admitted his client is seeking a transfer.
Real Madrid have been touted as Pogba’s preferred destination as he is keen on working with fellow countryman Zinedine Zidane. The Merengues’ manager is a huge admirer of the World Cup winning midfielder and wants him as part of his roster for the upcoming season, as he looks to bolster his midfield department that severely under-performed last season.
There had been little development on that front recently though and with Pogba heavily involved and impressing in Manchester United’s pre-season campaign, there had been reason to believe that the Frenchman might end up staying put in England. However, as per the report from Repubblica, Real Madrid are set to step up their pursuit of the midfielder in the coming days.
The report states that Real have an agreement with Pogba already and are negotiating with Manchester United to finalise a transfer, which in turn has led to the Red Devils stepping up their chase for a replacement. While a move for Portuguese international Bruno Fernandes is already in the works, United are now also working on a deal to sign Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as well.
The Serbian international had been heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United last summer, but a move did not materialise. However, with Pogba’s situation unclear, the 20-time English champions have rekindled their interest in the midfielder and are now set to act on it.
According to the report, Manchester United are closing in on the signing Milinkovic-Savic in a deal that will see them pay Lazio €75 million plus bonuses. The report further adds that the midfielder is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Premier League giants. Furthermore, it also claims that Lazio have already made a move to sign Turkish international Yusuf Yazici as a replacement for the Serb.
Milinkovic-Savic has made a reputation for himself as a gifted attacking midfielder who can score and create goals in equal measure. Having joined Lazio in 2015, the 24-year-old has made 162 appearances for the Serie A giants till date, netting 31 goals and setting up 18 more.
The 2018-19 campaign did not see the best of the midfielder, as he managed just 7 goals and 3 assists from 41 matches in all competitions. But, his past performances have shown that he can be an able replacement for Pogba at Manchester United. However, it remains to be seen if there is any truth to the report or if it turns out to be just another rumour.
