Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Lazio could finally be tempted into selling the player.
As per Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic can be freed from the grasp of Lazio, with the Serie A club ready to cash in on the player. Manchester United have shown interest in the Serb over the years, and it could be a do-or-die situation for them regarding a deal.
The 27-year-old has been one of the most sought after midfielders in Europe, and a number of top clubs have courted him. Lazio have done brilliantly in keeping Milinkovic-Savic out of grabs, but time is running out for them as the player will enter the final year of his contract next summer.
With Lazio doing well in Serie A, any deal in January would definitely be a major hiccup to their European ambitions. But given the current situation, they might not get the same valuation next summer if Milinkovic-Savic opts against extending his stay at the club.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has insisted the player’s value is exceeding the €100 million barrier. And any club interested in forking such money would be able to secure his service. But the report claims €60 million might be enough to get the job done. In addition, Manchester United have received a boost in his pursuit, with Lazio keen on selling to a foreign club.
Manchester United battled heavily to lure Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona in the summer before turning their focus to the Serb. But they could not agree on a deal for the Lazio midfielder. They did fulfil their longings for a defensive midfielder by landing Casemiro. But Paul Pogba’s departure has forced them to rethink their strategy about bringing a box-to-box midfielder.
Milinkovic-Savic could be that missing link that Pogba failed to provide during his time at the club. The Serbian international was involved in 22 goal contributions last season and has started a notch higher this season, with three goals and seven assists in nine Serie A matches.
A dream midfield pairing of Casemiro with Milinkovic-Savic should add an extra bit of dynamism to Manchester United’s midfield. But with Liverpool also interested in the player, the Red Devils might have to hurry up, as there won’t be a dearth of suitors if the player is placed on the transfer market.
