Manchester City have reportedly entered the race for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and are set to challenge Manchester United and Juventus for the Lazio superstar.
According to an exclusive from Calciomercato, Manchester City are the latest entrants in the race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Citizens will now be waging a transfer battle against Manchester United and Serie A giants Juventus in pursuit of the Lazio attacker.
Born in Spain but representing Serbia in international football, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has taken to the rise of level in football with much aplomb after earning a big-money move from Genk in 2015. Firmly established in the middle of the park, the 22-year-old has been attracting the best of clubs.
While he stayed with Lazio in the summer, his stellar performance this season is again a cause for worry for Lazio, as the big clubs come circling again. Juventus have been one of the foremost names to be linked with the 22-year-old and the Bianconeri have remained interested in the central midfielder, with Massimiliano Allegri eyeing reinforcements in the said area.
Manchester City are poised to make a January bid for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (22). United and Juventus are also interested in the Serbian midfielder. [Calcio Mercato] pic.twitter.com/bRecQAGYjb
— City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) November 8, 2017
Manchester United’s interest stems from Michael Carrick nearing the end of his footballing career combined with the clouded future of Ander Herrera and Juan Mata, both of whom are in the last year of their deals at Old Trafford. Andreas Pereira will return from loan by the end of the season and could be one of the first-team stalwarts going forward.
But, reinforcements are needed, especially with the creative acumen being depleted by the potential exit of the aforementioned names. United though, will now have to battle Manchester City as well, who have entered the chase. The Citizens do not have any dearth of creativity and firepower, as evidenced by their rampant display so far this season.
However, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho are all ageing fast and Pep Guardiola would ideally like to have a succession plan in place. Phil Foden is a contender for a spot after his pulverising rise from an academy star to one of the superstars of England’s triumphant Under-17 World Cup campaign.
Guardiola does seem to like Foden as well, which could bode well for the Englishman. Still, a more cultured presence is needed in the squad. Milinkovic-Savic could be the answer. His displays at Lazio have proven he is unfazed by the rise in the level of competition having not played in the top five European League up until the Lazio move.
Simone Inzaghi and the Biancocelesti though, will not let them have a free run at the 22-year-old and the suitors can expect Lazio to slap a hefty price-tag on the central midfielder. A summer move though, may be on the cards as it would not cause undesirable disruption in Lazio’s season and would also give Inzaghi & co. a chance to land a replacement.
