Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United serious about completing transfer for midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer
According to CalcioMercato, via Sport Witness (h/t Express), Manchester United are serious about making a transfer approach for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the upcoming transfer window.
Milinkovic-Savic has been one of Lazio’s most consistent performers since his arrival at the club in 2015 from Genk, becoming a midfield lynchpin for the team. The player would make an excellent addition to any side interested in him, and given United’s recent troubles, he could be the solution to their woes.
The midfielders that the Red Devils boast at the moment may be quality players, with the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, and Nemanja Matic making up the crop of options available to deploy in the middle. However, none of these stars has proven to be consistent enough despite being at Old Trafford for a couple of seasons.
However, United’s interest in the Lazio man is matched by European giants like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Inter Milan. The road to sign the 27-year-old in the summer, therefore, is not that easy to cover.
Strong signals from Manchester
That being said, the Old Trafford outfit is serious about making a move for the Serbia international ahead of the new season, with strong signals coming from the club over a potential transfer soon. Not just this, with a new manager also coming in, Manchester could see a sea of change in the next couple of months.
Given that there is a long list of suitors for Milinkovic-Savic, Lazio have set a transfer fee of €70m in order to rule out several parties from prising the midfielder away from them. That is certainly a big amount regardless of the quality of the player and surely one that could make clubs think twice about signing the Serbian.
Our midfield needs bolstering to compete for trophies next term, and the arrival of the Lazio star could add some well-needed steel. Those who have seen him play know he is a pretty good player on the ball and a physical presence to deal with for opposition attackers when off it.
Aside from his transfer price, the player also has some hefty wage demands which United could look to satisfy given that other clubs might not be able to meet those requirements. This is boosted by speculation that Milinkovic-Savic would prefer a move to the Theatre of Dreams over their rivals.
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With Pogba’s contract expiring in the summer, Matic not being the player he once was due to his age, and the midfield pair of Fred and McTominay not able to win over the fans over their ability to take control in midfield against strong opposition, a midfield reinforcement is arguably needed.
Given that a new manager is also expected to come in to take over the reins at Old Trafford next campaign, the club will also need to consider his preferences in midfield before making an official approach for Milinkovic-Savic. Only time will tell if the new boss and the club are aligned in their interest regarding the Lazio star.
