AC Milan Reportedly Readying 'Huge' Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Transfer Bid

Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will reportedly be the subject of a substantial offer from Serie A rivals AC Milan, who are said to want the player initially on loan with the option of a permanent move next summer.

Calciomercato.com reported the Rossoneri will offer to loan the Serb star for a €40 million (£35.7 million) sum before paying a further €70 million (£62.5 million) purchase fee next season.

That figure would eclipse the €100 million (£89.2 million) valuation Lazio are said to have placed on their midfield playmaker. Calciomercato described the deal as "almost impossible," though that doesn't look likely to stop the big-spending Rossoneri from pushing ahead in their interest.

Milinkovic-Savic was previously being touted at a much greater cost amid exit speculation, though his apparent nine-figure valuation is perhaps little surprise given the impact he has from midfield, per OptaPaolo:

The move would strike as odd considering Milinkovic-Savic continues to be linked with some of the biggest clubs in the world. Milan may still be considered a heavyweight of European football based on their history, but Gennaro Gattuso's side finished sixth in Serie A last season, one place and eight points below Lazio.

In fact, the Eagles have finished higher than Milan in the Serie A stakes in three of the last four seasons, so it's likely finances would be the main driving force behind any transfer if it were to materialise. It's mentioned Milan forward Fabio Borini could also feature as a makeweight in the deal.

Both teams will feature in the UEFA Europa League this season, and unless Milinkovic-Savic has an underlying passion to pull on Rossoneri colours, it seems likely he'll hold out for a higher-profile move elsewhere.

The Times' Gabriele Marcotti spoke about rumours linking Inter Milan with a move for Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric, and Goal's Sacha Pisani touched on Milinkovic-Savic as a potential replacement in midfield:

La Repubblica (h/t Football Italia) reported on a different offer from Milan, comprising cash plus Giacomo Bonaventura moving in the opposite direction. 

However, that report also included a quote Lazio president Claudio Lotito gave to Corriere della Sera: "None of the Italian clubs has the money to afford Milinkovic-Savic."

Lotito's verdict appears final, though Milan's owners, Elliott Management Corporation, appear willing to fund the transfer aspirations of a club that's endured its share of financial uncertainty in recent years.

Lazio would surely prefer to sell their talisman to a club outside Italy if given the choice, but Milan continue to show ambition in targeting one of Serie A's most coveted stars, no matter how unlikely the deal might appear.