Lazio have told Liverpool the bidding for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic starts at £67 million with the Serie A star still being linked with a move to the Premier League, as reported by Calciomercato.
Simone Inzaghi transformed Milinkovic-Savic into one of the most complete central midfielders on the continent during their time together at the Stadio Olimpico.
But, as Lazio hosted Inzaghi’s new Inter Milan side in the Italian capital on Saturday afternoon, the swaggering Serbia international was in no mood to go easy on his former boss.
Against the reigning champions and early-season pace-setters, Milinkovic-Savic produced the kind of monstrous midfield performance that has become his trademark in recent seasons. He powered home the third of a statement 3-1 win late on, using every inch of his 6ft 4in frame to plant a header past the flailing Samir Handanovic.
Make no mistake, Milinkovic-Savic remains the driving force of this Lazio team.
He may not hog the headlines like the prolific Ciro Immobile or Luis ‘the assist-machine’ Alberto but few players in Serie A, or Europe in general, are capable of dominating the game with power and poise quite like ‘SMS’, a player labelled ‘better than Paul Pogba’ early in his Biancocelesti career.
Liverpool must go large to lure Milinkovic-Savic
In 2018, sporting director Igli Tare said it would take “much more” than £80 million to lure Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio, and the club’s stance hasn’t wavered since.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool tested the water in the summer transfer window only to be told any bids would have to start at £67 million.
The towering Spain-born playmaker could be worth even more if he extends his contract to 2025 as expected.
“I feel like a leader now. It is my sixth year here and I hope to stay for many more years,” Milinkovic-Savic, who was also linked with a shock move to Wolves recently, admitted in July.
“I see the young players here and think about when I was in their place. I try to help them the same way the old guard helped me.”
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