Account
Report: Lazio to Drop Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Fee Amid Manchester United Rumours
November 23, 2018
Lazio are reportedly considering reducing their £100 million asking price for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as he has failed to produce the same form this season as he did in 2017-18.
According to Sky Italia (h/t Liam Prenderville in the Mirror), the Serie A club will not sell him in January but could give the go-ahead for his departure next summer, and Manchester United are likely to be at the front of the queue along with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
Milinkovic-Savic, 23, enjoyed a breakout season last term as he netted 12 goals and provided three assists in 35 Serie A appearances.
His potent combination of physicality, technique and ball control brought him to the attention of a number of Europe's top clubs. As noted by Squawka, he is a midfielder who contributes in both defence and attack:
Per James Horncastle on BBC Sport, Lazio owner Claudio Lotito revealed he turned down a €70 million (£61.7 million) offer for the young central midfielder in the summer of 2017, a good move given how his profile rose last term.
The Rome outfit managed to keep hold of him into 2018-19, but he has so far failed to hit the same heights, registering just a goal and an assist in Serie A.
Given his relative youth, inconsistency of form is not a huge surprise and it is unlikely Milinkovic-Savic's main suitors will have lost interest based on a handful of average showings.
United should still be keeping tabs on him as they could do with a player of his all-round quality in their squad.
The Red Devils midfield is overly reliant on Paul Pogba as summer signing Fred does not seem to have the confidence of manager Jose Mourinho, Nemanja Matic is not the player he once was and Marouane Fellaini is most effective off the bench.
If Lazio are open to offers of under £100 million for Milinkovic-Savic next summer United are sure to be among the key suitors.