Arsenal ‘preparing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer offer with Man Utd target wanted from Lazio in January’
LAZIO star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is reportedly a January transfer target for Arsenal.
The North London side are believed to be keen on stealing the Serbian midfielder’s signature from under the noses of their Premier League rivals.
The 39-capped international has been linked with a move to England for years, with clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United both credited with an interest in him.
But it seems that Arsenal are now his most likely destination with the Metro suggesting that Mikel Arteta’s side are looking to win the race for him.
The Gunners tried to sign the midfielder in the summer but their bid of £42million rejected.
Lazio’s club president Claudio Lotito has been vocal about his wish to keep Milinkovic-Savic at the club and has been consistent about saying how highly valued he is at the Rome club.
He recently claimed that the player is worth £105million after he was asked if Juventus had agreed to a transfer for him.
He said: “‘I have no agreement with his agent [Mateja] Kezman to sell him to Juventus of anyone else in the winter.
“On the contrary, he is now worth €120m [£105m], not €100m [£88m]. Every month the price goes up.”
However, the player’s contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 season and he would then be free to walk away for nothing.
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It is thought that the price for Milinkovic-Savic has dropped as it has become clear that he will not renew his deal at the Stadio Olympico.
Reports have suggested that the Serie A side would sell him for £69m in January and for as low as £34m in the summer.
The 27-year-old has been a key player for Lazio since joining the club in 2015.
He has helped them win the Coppa Italia and has been named the club’s player of the season for the last two campaigns.