Premier League leaders Arsenal are currently leading the race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with the Serbia international refusing to extend his contract at Serie A giants Lazio, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
You might have assumed that, with his contract expiring in 18 months’ time and with Milinkovic-Savic making it clear that he has no interest in putting pen to paper on an extension, Lazio may be willing to accept a reduced fee for one of Europe’s finest midfielders.
Well, if that’s the case, let us introduce you to Claudio Lotito.
“I am not selling Milinkovic-Savic,” the always-bullish Lotito said a couple of months ago. “Today, he is worth 120 million euros (around £100 million). And, every month that passes, the price rises more and more.”
Sir Alex Ferguson famously quipped the dealing with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was more painful than his hip replacement. Negotiating with Lotito over Milinkovic-Savic, then, may have the feel of removing your molars with a pair of rusty tweezers.
Arsenal battling Juventus and AC Milan to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio
Gazzetta dello Sport, via Tuttomercatoweb, say that Arsenal are currently ‘in the lead’ for the 27-year-old. That is despite rival interest from Serie A giants Juventus and AC Milan.
The powerhouse playmaker, an outrageous talent who combines the power of an ox with the grace of a gazelle, has seven goals and eight assists for club and country this season. He’d add high quality depth to a rather thin Arsenal squad.
But convincing Lazio to sell mid-season is most certainly easier said than done. Especially with European qualification still a very real possibility for the Rome-based club.
According to Il Messaggero, the Gunners were willing to pay £55 million for Milinkovic-Savic over the summer. It may take an offer of almost double that, however, to twist Lotito’s arm.
“I have coached many great players. But he is one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” former Chelsea, Juventus and Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri says of the one-time Celtic target.
“His progress has been excellent, and he really can take another step up in quality. He used to lose the ball too cheaply, but now he plays with more determination.”
“Trust me, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is magic,” adds team-mate Ciro Immobile (Fabrizio Romano). He’s on the same level of Kevin de Bruyne.”
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