Lazio president Claudio Lotito has confirmed that the club do not intend to sell Sergej Milinkovic-Savic amid interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Speaking to Rai Sport in Italy (h/t Fichajes), Lazio president Claudio Lotito has ruled out the possibility of selling midfield mainstay Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is a summer transfer target for Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Milinkovic-Savic has been with Lazio since 2015 and has developed into one of the finest midfielders in Serie A over the past seven years. However, his future at the Italian capital club has been a topic of intense speculation heading into the summer, with several big clubs circling to swoop him away from the Serie A giants.
Real Madrid have held an interest in the Serbian international for quite some time now, with the links resurfacing again this summer as they look to bring in long-term replacements for ageing midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Manchester United are another team that have been heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old Milinkovic-Savic. The Red Devils are in the market for midfield reinforcements as Paul Pogba gets set to leave in the summer on a free transfer as his contract expires at the end of June.
Lazio president Lotito on Sergej Milinkovic-Savić rumours: "Milinkovic is not for sale. I turned down €140m bid for him [years ago]", tells Rai Sport. ?? #transfers
"I'd ask Sergej what he wants to do only in case we receive am important proposal from a world class top club". pic.twitter.com/K0fmd49bu7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 10, 2022
The Lazio superstar has been identified as one of the potential replacements for the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner at Manchester United. However, the Serie A club president, Claudio Lotito, has confirmed that the club have no intentions of losing the 27-year-old unless an extraordinary offer comes along in the summer.
“Milinkovic is not for sale. I already turned down a €140 million bid for him. I will ask Sergej what he wants to do, although it will only be in case we receive an important proposal from a world-class club,” Lotito said.
This stance comes as a huge blow to Manchester United and Real Madrid’s hopes of signing Milinkovic-Savic ahead of the new season. The 27-year-old has a contract with Lazio that runs until the summer of 2024, which puts the Serie A giants in a strong negotiating position should any club come with an offer in the summer.
It remains to be seen if either Manchester United or Real Madrid press ahead with their pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic or decide to pursue alternatives in the upcoming transfer window.
