Arsenal want to sign £103m assist machine but he’s now dodged Kevin De Bruyne comparison

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal want Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and he has played down comparisons to Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.

The Gunners added a new midfielder over the summer in Fabio Vieira, essentially using him as cover and competition for Martin Odegaard.

Granit Xhaka is thriving in an advanced midfield role but with Emile Smith Rowe likely to feature on the left side when he’s back from injury, another attacking midfielder may end up on Arsenal’s wish list.

Fans are focusing on another holding midfielder but Arsenal appear to have a lofty attacking target in mind.

Arsenal want Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Lazio playmaker Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the man in question.

Il Messaggero reported that Arsenal offered up to €55million (£47million) for Milinkovic-Savic over the summer but Lazio said no.

The rumours have resurfaced with the ultimately less-reliable Calcio Mercato Web claiming that Arsenal want to offer Albert Sambi Lokonga in a deal for Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbian has been outstanding in Serie A this season and already has three goals and seven assists in 11 league games.

There have been rumours surrounding the 27-year-old heading to England for years now and Arsenal may well fancy him.

The problem is that Lazio are now demanding huge money and Il Messaggero carry quotes from club president Claudio Lotito which indicate his price tag is now €120million (£103million).

That’s a price Arsenal are never going to pay but you could hardly blame Edu and Mikel Arteta for liking him.

That Il Messaggero piece also includes MIlinkovic-Savic’s reaction to being likened to Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.

The assists and creativity have resulted in comparisons to De Bruyne but Milinkovic-Savic isn’t having any of it.

Milinkovic-Savic indicated that De Bruyne is ‘number one’ in terms of midfielders right now and believes he can only keep working hard to reach that kind of level.

“He is number one. I can only train well to improve myself,” said Milinkovic-Savic.

Arteta worked with De Bruyne at Manchester City and may well see those parallels himself.

Milinkovic-Savic and Odegaard working together in the final third is an exciting proposition but unless Lazio drop that asking price, surely no deal will happen.