Arsenal are said to be the favourites to sign Sergej Milinković-Savić who has made it clear he wants to leave Lazio this summer.
Lazio’s Serbian midfielder, Sergej Milinković-Savić, has been the centre of transfer speculation for some time now, with the player’s contract set to expire in 2024.
The talented midfielder was sought after by Arsenal in the summer and winter, but he chose to remain with Lazio.
However, despite Lazio’s current form under coach Maurizio Sarri, Milinković-Savić has made it clear that he wants to leave the club to ‘try a new experience’.
The player’s agent, Mateja Kezman, has held talks with Lazio, but there has been no progress on the renewal of the player’s contract.
Milinković-Savić reportedly wants to leave Lazio without causing too much damage to the club, so he would apparently prefer a sale in the summer, rather than leaving for free in 2024.
The player has also made it clear that he wants to play in the Champions League with Arsenal reportedly remaining the favoured destination for the Serbian international, as they have taken the strongest steps to sign him.
The price Lazio could ask for Milinković-Savić is uncertain, with the €100m Lazio’s president, Claudio Lotito, wanted in the past unlikely.
The club’s president could also force the player to stay an extra year, but that runs the risk of losing him for free.
Arsenal did indeed try to sign Milinković-Savić the winter window but the player was said to be ‘hesitant’ despite his desire to leave.
He is said to dream of a move to Real Madrid but they have not yet been linked with a move for him.
Arsenal were first linked with a move for Milinković-Savić almost eight years ago when he was still with Genk. He ended up moving to Lazio for €12m.