Several Premier League clubs have registered an interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Lazio sporting director Igli Tare claiming that the player is free to take a call on his future and the club wouldn’t stand in his way if he wished to leave the club.
Talking to Sky Sport Italia, Tare said, “The player’s desire is crucial. Generally speaking, if a player thinks that their time is up and wants to go somewhere else, it shouldn’t be a problem”.
“Eras come to an end. Just look what happened to Napoli this season. The fact he stayed in Rome for five years is because he has strong links with the city and club.
“When there was some temptation, a bit on our part, a bit on his, we never went all the way. However, things must be assessed at the end of the season.”
Milinkovic-Savic arrived at Lazio from Genk in 2015 and has since made close to 200 appearances for the club scoring 36 goals from attacking midfield roles.
He had a fantastic 2017/2018 season scoring 14 goals and was one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe. He was linked to a variety of clubs including Chelsea but a deal never materialized, and he signed a new five-year contract with Lazio.
Milinkovic-Savic did have a below par 2018/2019 season, but has rediscovered his rhythm and has played an integral part in Lazio’s fight for the title, with the team just one point away from table toppers Juventus.
The Serbian has scored 4 goals and assisted 4 times in his 25 appearances for the club in the league this season, starting almost every game helping Lazio keep up with Juventus at the top of the table.
Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as a modern, “completer midfielder” and has been one of the best midfielders in the Serie A in recent years. He is a versatile player, and has the traditional attacking instinct and finishing ability of an attacking midfielder.
The 6’3″ Serbian is a tank in midfield and his height and physicality make him a dangerous threat in the box. His playstyle has often led comparisons to Yaya Toure in his prime, a world class midfielder vital in the team’s buildup play.
Chelsea intend to boost their midfield with strong attacking options, with Kovacic and Jorginho not directly contributing a lot of times in the final third of the pitch.
Kovacic plays more like a box-to-box midfielder, surging forward ans tracking back when required. With players like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount the addition of Milinkovic-Savic to the Chelsea midfield will give them plenty of options in the long-term future.
At Manchester United, Paul Pogba’s future is still uncertain and if the Frenchman does leave the club, Manchester United will have a like-for-like replacement in Milinkovic-Savic.
At Tottenham, Ndombele too has been linked with a transfer away from the club, with Jose Mourinho not satisfied with his performances for the club, but he is intent on staying at the club. Jose Mourinho at United was close to signing the Serb and the signing would add great quality to the midfield at Tottenham.
It looks certain that Milinkovic-Savic’s time at Lazio is coming to a close and he might be departing to the Premier League for a new challenge. He’s valued at around £80million and it remains to be seen who among Tottenham, Chelsea and United lands the Serbian.
