Three Premier League clubs, Newcastle, West Ham United and Fulham, were reportedly interested in signing the ex-Fiorentina and Serie A star.
It looks like we might never see Milan Badelj in the Premier League. The Croatian midfielder has been linked with a move to England for years with Tottenham and Manchester United routinely linked, as reported by Football London – and it has been no different this summer either.
Tuttomercatoweb claimed last week that London duo Fulham and West Ham were both interested in the 29-year-old, who was a free agent after his contract with Serie A outfit Fiorentina expired at the end of last season.
Meanwhile, The Mirror stated that cash-strapped Newcastle United were hoping to make Badelj their most high profile signing of the summer so far. And the fact he is available for absolutely nothing would have undoubtedly appealed to manager Rafa Benitez, who is under pressure to sell players in order to fund deals for new arrivals.
But in a blow to Fulham, West Ham and Newcastle, Badelj decided to stay in Serie A and sign for high-flying Lazio, as reported by Calciomercato.
Even though they missed out on a Champions League place thanks to a final day defeat to Inter Milan, 2017/18 was still a terrific season for a Lazio side who appear to be improving rapidly under Simone Inzaghi. And Badelj is a terrific addition, perhaps a replacement for the influential Lucas Biglia in the centre of the park.
So it seems that Fulham, West Ham and Newcastle have all missed out on one of the summer’s best bargains.
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