Lazio president Claudio Lotito has now rubbished claims that his Serie A side are set to sell Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, after they held talks with Arsenal amid rival interest from Chelsea.
Lazio president slams claims of Milinkovic-Savic sale after Arsenal talks
Claudio Lotito has told Il Messaggero that Lazio will not consider bids for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic worth €50m (£42.5m) this summer. The Biancocelesti chief is resolute that the Serbia star is worth far more to the Stadio Olimpico natives than sums in that region may suggest.
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Milinkovic-Savic has once again been a hot topic in transfer columns this summer after his stunning campaign last season. The 34-cap technician was involved in 22 goals over his 37 Italian top-flight outings, having hit the back of the net 11 times and created a further 11.
Lazio are also nearing a point where they must consider where the 27-year-old’s long-term future will be. Milinkovic-Savic has two years to run on his contract at Maurizio Sarri’s side, who will start the new Serie A season at home to Bologna on Sunday, August 14, at 17:30.
Likely fearing his value will drop as the midfielder’s contract winds down, Il Mattino report Lazio offered Milinkovic-Savic to Arsenal. The Biancocelesti also gave Manchester United a chance to bid in the hope of sparking a race with Juventus to secure €55-60m (£46.5-51m).
Arsenal, Chelsea held talks with Stadio Olimpico hierarchy over summer swoop
The Turin giants had offered €50m (£42.5m) earlier in the window, as Massimiliano Allegri looks to partner Paul Pogba with Milinkovic-Savic. But Calciomercato reported Lotito feels the Spanish-born sensation could fetch as much as €70-80m (£59.5-68m) with English bids.
His asking price forced Arsenal, and London rivals Chelsea, to cool their interest in signing Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. The Premier League powerhouses each held preliminary talks with Biancocelesti sporting director Igli Tare in London at the end of June to explore a deal.
And on the eve of the new Serie A season, Lotito is refusing to drop his valuation and feels Milinkovic-Savic will be staying in Lazio – despite Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus’ interest.
“50 million for Milinkovic-Savic? I won’t sell him at that amount,” Lotito said, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB. “He is worth much more. Our market is complete and finished, also, because Luis Alberto will also remain.
“I quickly kept all the promises I had made, they were taken – all the reinforcements requested by Sarri in the sheet.”
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