Newcastle United are establishing plans to target the transfer of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the summer. But Lazio have now scheduled a meeting with Matej Kezman for his contract.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that Lazio sporting director Igli Tare will meet Kezman, the agent of Milinkovic-Savic, before the end of February. The Biancocelesti are eager to debate his new deal with the midfielder’s existing terms expiring in June 2024.
Milinkovic-Savic has already promised Lazio that he will not leave the Stadio Olimpico club for free next year. But Tare privately accepts that without putting a new contract in place, the Serie A side will struggle to sell the 27-year-old for €50-60m (£45-54m) in this summer.
Suitors for Milinkovic-Savic’s transfer are also reducing with Juventus backing away from a move given their off-field issues. The Turin powerhouse appreciates the 39-cap Serbia star. But they can no longer target his signature amid a six-goal, eight-assist campaign this term.
Newcastle are very keen on a transfer for Milinkovic-Savic, though, and have already held talks with the Lazio star’s agent. Toon chiefs have spoken with Kezman several times as the Magpies put plans in place to raid the Stadio Olimpico at the end of the current campaign.
Newcastle target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio was open to a transfer to Arsenal
A possible move to St James’ Park for the Serbian was on the radar in Rome in the January sales. Il Messaggero, via TuttoMercatoWEB, reported Newcastle were willing to pay Lazio €60m (£54m) for Milinkovic-Savic’s transfer. But no transfer to Tyneside would materialise.
Even if the Toon would have also given the Lleida, Spain-born star a €12m (£11m) signing-on bonus. He could have earned up to €10m-a-year (£171k-a-/w) as a part of Eddie Howe’s squad, as well. But Giulio Cardone claimed he was open to a transfer to Arsenal in January.
Arsenal also spoke with Kezman to discuss a mid-season transfer from Lazio to England for Milinkovic-Savic, per Corriere dello Sport. Yet he would stay at the Stadio Olimpico, where the midfielder is a vital presence under manager Maurizio Sarri and the club’s vice-captain.
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