Liverpool are reportedly targeting a player-plus-cash move to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with Joe Gomez going the other way – a player that Lucas Leiva claims is the “Zlatan Ibrahimovic of midfielders”.
Milinkovic-Savic is in excellent form this season. Having a hand in nine goals in his 11 appearances, the Serbia ace has long been linked with a move to the Premier League. He has entered the final two years of his contract at Lazio.
The 27-year-old has spent the last seven seasons at Lazio, amassing a huge 302 appearances. The report from CMW claims that Liverpool are keen and are readying an offer for next summer, when his deal has 12 months to run.
It is believed he is valued in the region of £61million. But the Reds will look to half that figure by including England international Joe Gomez in a deal. Lucas Leiva has played alongside the Serbian for Lazio, and is a big, big fan.
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic of midfielders.He has everything a top player needs to have. He’s physically very strong. In the air he’s unmarkable. But with the ball, he’s fantastic as well,” Lucas said earlier this year, as per Football Italia.
“He can assist and score goals. He has a very good shot and he’s a player who is improving every year. He has all the qualities to play at the highest level. For sure, he is one of the best players I’ve played with.”
Lucas: Liverpool target Milinkovic-Savic the Ibrahimovic of midfielders
Milinkovic-Savic would be a wonderful signing for the Reds, if they cannot get Jude Bellingham. Much like the Dortmund and England star, Milinkovic-Savic is regularly scoring and creating goals in Italy, and in Europe.
He is eight years older than Bellingham and his asking price is smaller, for that reason. But he would be a superb signing, even if the club do get Bellingham. The chances of Liverpool spending that amount of cash is unlikely.
But if the Reds do miss out on Bellingham, they would be going in for a midfielder with just as much quality. He is just older than the England star, with perhaps a bit more power – but slightly less agility and speed.
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