Arsenal and Juventus are reportedly in a better position to acquire Lazio captain Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as the Serie A club lowers its asking price to £44m.

The talented midfielder has been on the radar of top European clubs for quite some time, but his hefty £88m price tag and contract status have prevented any potential moves.

With Milinkovic-Savic’s contract expiring in just over a year and an extension looking improbable, Lazio seem ready to compromise on their valuation.

The 28-year-old Serbian international has attracted significant interest from both Arsenal and Juventus, among others, who are eager to bolster their midfield options.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been on the lookout for a suitable partner for Thomas Partey in the midfield. While the club signed Jorginho from Chelsea as a temporary fix in January, Arteta is still keen on adding another quality midfielder to his squad in the summer.

Although Arsenal had bids rejected for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Milinkovic-Savic could be the ideal candidate for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Juventus are also keeping tabs on the Lazio captain as they aim to reinforce their midfield. With the player’s agents reportedly pushing for a deal closer to £31m, the competition for Milinkovic-Savic’s signature is expected to heat up soon.

As the summer transfer window approaches, both Arsenal and Juventus will be closely monitoring Milinkovic-Savic’s situation, hoping to secure his services for a more affordable price.

With a reduced asking price and multiple clubs vying for his signature, the race for this coveted midfielder is just beginning.