Serie A rivals Inter and AC Milan look set to do battle for SS Lazio midfield star and a former target of Manchester United Sergej Milinkovic-Savic when the summer transfer window opens. According to Goal, the Serbia international has long been linked with a switch to some of Europe’s top clubs, including the Red Devils, but the two Milan giants are hoping to steal a march in the race to land the 24-year-old.
Milan pushed to sign Milinkovic-Savic in 2018 but will require the Rome club to drop their asking price from what had been around £86 million if they are to sign the midfielder. Gennaro Gattuso’s side would also need to qualify for the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League to be able to attract Milinkovic-Savic, which, as it stands, they’re currently achieving as they lie fourth place in the Serie A table seven points ahead of Lazio.
Meanwhile, Inter are also interested in signing the Serbia international, while Juventus could be another of Italy’s big guns to join the race for his signature. According to Goal, the player harbours doubts about moving to the Serie A champions, however, as he feels that he could find himself in and out of the team in what is a supremely talented squad of players.
Indeed, Juve already possess the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedria, Emre Can, Blaise Matuidi and Rodrigo Bentancur that play in that area of the pitch, while Aaron Ramsey will also be joining in the summer from Arsenal. Interest from abroad has been mooted in the past, with Manchester United and Real Madrid having reportedly been in for Milinkovic-Savic in the summer.
His struggles to replicate his 2017-18 form, that saw him score 14 goals and register eight assists in all competitions, would suggest that some of Europe’s top clubs will look elsewhere when the summer transfer window opens. The midfielder’s numbers in the current campaign are in stark contrast, with Milinkovic-Savic having scored four goals in all competitions up to now, while he has just one league assist to his name.
The former Serie A champions renewed their star man’s contract until 2023 back in October, although that is unlikely to stop them selling should a big club come up with a tempting offer, especially considering his current standing with the fans. Lazio supporters have not been impressed with his performances in 2018-19 either, with Lazio fans, prior to a Serie A clash with Fiorentina earlier in the season, having unfurled a banner which read, “Milinkovic and Luis Alberto [are] fake talents only hunting cash!”
Will Milinkoovic-Savic remain at Lazio after this season?