Lazio’s collapse may hand Tottenham a real chance of blockbuster deal for Milinkovic-Savic

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Lazio won’t play in next season’s Champions League, which could impact Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s future.

Tottenham Hotspur may have qualified for the Champions League without too much fuss, but the same can’t be said for Lazio over in Italy.

After a disastrous collapse in the Europa League quarter-finals against Red Bull Salzburg, Lazio fans went into the final day of the Serie A season knowing a win over Inter Milan would hand them a passage into next season’s Champions League.

If Inter won, they would leapfrog Lazio and head into the competition, but Lazio were leading 2-1 at half time thanks to Ivan Perisic’s own goal and a strike from Felipe Anderson.

However, Lazio completely collapsed – again – late on, as Mauro Icardi equalised for Inter from the penalty spot, Senad Lulic was sent off, Matias Vecino rose to head Inter in front and unused substitute Patric was sent off without ever coming on.

That stunning collapse sees Lazio fall out of the top four in Serie A and miss out on the Champions League to Inter, which should see an end to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s time with the club.

Milinkovic-Savic, 23, has risen to stardom this season with 16 goals and nine assists in all competitions, and his all-action displays in midfield have made him a target for many clubs.

The Serbian is even wanted by Tottenham Hotspur according to The Mirror, as they see the former Genk man as a potential successor to Mousa Dembele in the middle of the park thanks to his strength and drive through the middle of the park.

Lazio will still command a fee that is far beyond what Tottenham usually pay, but with Champions League football on offer under Mauricio Pochettino, they may just have a real shot at convincing Milinkovic-Savic to make a blockbuster move to North London this summer.

Offering him the chance to play in Europe’s top competition for the first time will be a major selling point, and whilst other Champions League clubs will be keen, Spurs can at least offer that too – and Spurs must now find the money to make a significant bid for Milinkovic-Savic this summer.