Manchester United have reportedly agreed an £80 million deal with Lazio to make Sergej Milinkovic-Savic their first summer signing
According to a report by The Sun, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is set to become the first signing for Manchester United in the summer transfer window. The Premier League heavyweights have agreed an £80 million deal with Lazio to make the Serbian powerhouse their third big-money signing in successive summers.
Milinkovic-Savic has become a household name in Europe since joining Lazio from Genk in the summer of 2015. Over the last two seasons, the player has not just established himself as a key figure for Lazio, but has also grown tremendously as a powerhouse in midfield, showcasing defensive acumen as well as passing abilities to affect play in the final third.
Additionally, he also possesses an eye for goal that makes him a huge asset for his side. So far this term, the player has racked up 13 goals and 9 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions, and it comes as no surprise that he has been attracting interest from a number of clubs.
Among his suitors, Manchester United have been in his pursuit for a long time, with midfield reinforcements admittedly a priority for Jose Mourinho. The Red Devils are set to lose at least one midfielder this summer, with Michael Carrick hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
In addition to the long-serving Englishman, the future of Marouane Fellaini is up in the air, with the Belgian at loggerheads with Manchester United over a new deal. Regardless of Fellaini’s future, the need to sign a midfielder has been urgent for the Premier League heavyweights for a while now.
Indeed, Milikovic-Savic’s abilities will help him replace Carrick to some extent at Old Trafford, with his prowess in front of goal an added incentive, which could see the Manchester United manager have a fearsome midfield trident of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and the Serb.
If the report is anything to go by, Manchester United are set to make the Lazio man their first signing of the summer. Mourinho was aided by his relationship with Mateja Kezman, who is the player’s agent, to land the 23-year-old.
And while they were initially reluctant to meet Lazio’s £80 million asking price, they are now prepared to pay the big bucks to land him. Should the report indeed turn out to be true, it will be interesting to see how quickly Milinkovic-Savic settles at Manchester United, and if he is able to help the club contend for the Premier League title next season.
