Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is also a summer target for Premier League rivals Manchester United
Italian journalist Giulio Cardone has told Radio Sei that Arsenal have joined an ever growing list of suitors for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Gunners are set to rival Premier League rivals Manchester United in the race to sign the Lazio midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Milinkovic-Savic has been on a tear ever since he joined Lazio from KRC Genk in the summer of 2015. Over the last three seasons, the player has gone about rising in stature, not just in Italian football but in all of Europe, with many regarding him as one of the most promising young midfielders in the continent.
The 2017-18 season was his most productive yet, with Milinkovic-Savic bagging 14 goals and 9 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. More than his contribution in front of goal, it is his ability to contribute to the defensive side of the game which has brought forth interest from top clubs across Europe, with Manchester United believed to be the front-runners in his pursuit.
The need to sign midfielders this summer is imperative for Manchester United, with Michael Carrick retiring at the end of last season. Furthermore, with Marouane Fellaini set to leave on a free transfer, the Red Devils have the need to buy a couple of midfielders in the current window.
Jose Mourinho has already addressed part of the problem by signing Fred, but with the Manchester United manager still grappling with a shortage of options, Milinkovic-Savic is viable target. But, they are not alone in pursuit of the Serb, with Arsenal now joining them in the race to sign him.
The Gunners are set for a squad overhaul this summer as they look to herald a new era under Unai Emery on a positive note. Midfield is believed to be a priority for the Arsenal manager, especially with Jack Wilshere’s future being up in the air.
The Englishman’s departure would call for at least one replacement, and Milinkovic-Savic could be just the midfielder to freshen things up in the middle and help introduce a different brand of football at the Emirates. It’s being suggested that Arsenal could leap into action due to Manchester United’s acquisition of Fred.
But, the Gunners are lagging behind on their offer, both to the player as well as Lazio. Indeed, it has been widely reported that Arsenal will have a restricted budget this summer, which could prove to be a hindrance in their bid to sign Milinkovic-Savic.
That the Serbian international is also commanding interest from the likes of PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus will only further complicate matters for Arsenal and Manchester United. The player will certainly not come cheap, with a €100 million price being quoted in most reports.
His future though, is only likely to be settled after the World Cup, with the player iterating that he only wants to concentrate on the World Cup for now. It now remains to be seen how things pan out in the weeks to come, and if other clubs join Arsenal and Manchester United in a hotly contested race for Milinkovic-Savic.
