Arsenal transfer news: £72m star who wants Emirates move rejects new deal

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Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is reportedly set to reject a new contract with the Serie A club amid rumours that the Serbian international wants to join Arsenal.

According to journalist Giovanni Albanese, the 27-year-old superstar has said passed on the chance to renew his contract with Lazio, with the Italian reporter hinting that Juventus could soon make a move to sign Milinkovic-Savic despite strong links to Arsenal in recent weeks.

Corriere dello Sport reported that Arsenal had made contact to sign the midfielder with La Lazio Siamo Noi adding that Milinkovic-Savic is himself keen on a switch to north London, with Mikel Arteta believed to be interested in adding a player in this area of the pitch.

With TuttoMercatoWeb reporting that Newcastle United could soon make a €82m (£72m) bid to sign the Lazio star, there is good reason to believe that the Roman club could accept an offer in this ballpark if Arsenal were to now come in for the Serbia international.

Indeed, central midfield is a position Arsenal are keen to add to this January as Arteta looks to push the Gunners’ Premier League title bid all the way to the end, with the north London side in desperate need of quality depth beyond their usual trio in the middle of the park.

And Milinkovic-Savic could be as good a signing as you can get in this current market, with the Lazio star arguably the most complete midfielder in European football, and this latest contract update is a strong hint that the 27-year-old is ready for a new challenge in his career.

Milinkovic-Savic rejecting Lazio contract should give Arsenal the sign to move

Arsenal have had something of a dismal January window following Chelsea’s last-minute swoop to sign Mykhailo Mudryk right from Arteta’s nose. Yet the Gunners can bounce back immediately with a move for Milinkovic-Savic, which could arguably be a better move.

As we know, central midfield is a major area in Arsenal’s squad that needs improvements this January. And whilst missing out on a key attacking target is a blow, signing someone as good as Milinkovic-Savic would put a lot of worries and issues fans had behind them.