The ‘best midfielder in the world’ rejected Arteta last year, now he’s ready to sign for Arsenal
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, and the Serbian has now reportedly made his decision.
The 28-year-old has been one of the best midfielders in the Serie A for a few years now. He is a fantastic player, and it does look like he’ll leave Lazio this summer.
Arsenal will be on the market for a new man in the middle of the park, and there’s now some good news for Gunners supporters.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic makes transfer decision for Arsenal
This summer, Milinkovic-Savic will enter the final year of his contract.
The Serbian has been linked with a move to the Premier League in each of the last few transfer windows, but a move simply did not happen due to Lazio’s asking price.
Claudio Lotito, president of the Biancocelesti, has publicly set a £105 million asking price for Milinkovic-Savic, whom he considers to be “the best midfielder in the world.”
That has always been a stumbling block, but thanks to his current contract situation, his transfer fee could be extremely affordable, particularly to Premier League clubs.
According to Corriere dello Sport (print edition, March 30th, page 18), Lazio are now at risk of receiving less than £25 million for their star midfielder. The Serie A club, on the other hand, is hoping for £35 million.
According to the report, Milinkovic-Savic, who turned down an offer from Arsenal last summer, will now ‘gladly accept’ one from Mikel Arteta’s side, who are currently atop the Premier League table.
Arsenal will almost certainly sign at least one new midfielder this summer.
Declan Rice is said to be Arteta’s top transfer target, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo also linked with moves to the Emirates.
Milinkovic-Savic has more experience than all of the players mentioned above, and the fact that he is in the prime of his career and is available for a low fee makes him a very appealing option.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Milinkovic-Savic, but he appears to be leaving Lazio this summer.
