Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is a reported target for heavyweights Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Serbian midfield powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has admitted that he is ‘flattered’ by the interest shown in him by Manchester United but insisted he is happy at his current club Lazio, according to a report from the Daily Mail. The player is also a target for Real Madrid.
The 22-year old has been garnering much interest from across Europe after enjoying a breakthrough 2016/17 campaign and following it up with an even more impressive 2017/18 season. Milinkovic-Savic has scored 11 times and registered 7 assists so far from 33 appearances across all competitions in the ongoing campaign and has been one of Lazio’s best players as they fight for the UEFA Champions League spots in the Italian Serie A.
This has resulted in clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid taking notice and sending out feelers over the possibility of a summer move. And Milinkovic-Savic has insisted that while the links are flattering, he is very much content with his current situation.
“It’s nice when people are talking about me,” he said, according to La Gazetta dello Sport as quoted by the Mail.
“But I don’t place too much importance on these things. I’m happy at Lazio and am feeling good here for now, but then we will have to see.”
Manchester United are keen on bolstering their midfield options for the next season, with Jose Mourinho set to lose Marouane Fellaini in the summer while Michael Carrick will also be hanging up his boots at the end of the season. And the recent rumours of Paul Pogba not being happy at the club further highlight the need of a new midfielder for the twenty-time English champions.
And Milinkovic-Savic would be the ideal fit for Mourinho’s side. The 22-year old can perform in multiple positions in the middle and has shown solid defensive nous coupled with great attacking intent as well, as seen by his numbers this season.
Alongside compatriot Nemanja Matic and Pogba, provided he stays at the club, Milinkovic-Savic would form a deadly trio and would greatly help the Red Devils to put up a stronger challenge on all fronts for the coming season.
However, he is likely to cost top-dollar for any side that wants to sign him, given that the Serbian international has a contract till the summer of 2022 with the Italian outfit. Lazio sporting director Igli Tare revealed that the club had rejected a £60 million offer for their prized asset in the summer and that they would not entertain any bid below £70 million for Milinkovic-Savic.
Interestingly enough, United have had a Milinkovic-Savic on their books previously, with Sergej’s younger brother Vanja spending 18 months with the Mancunian outfit, before leaving the club due to unresolved work permit issues. Will United be able to land another Milinkovic-Savic at the club in the summer? Only time will tell.
