Mateja Kezman, the agent of star midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, detailed the interest in the Lazio midfielder this summer and why a sale didn’t take place.
The 27-year-old Serbian midfielder seemed destined to depart in this transfer window, with indications suggesting that his sale would be used to fund the squad overhaul. Interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United came and went, and as the summer went on it became clear that he’d be staying another year.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport (via LazioNews24), Kezman first confirmed that Milinkovic-Savic will not leave Lazio before this transfer window closes.
Barring any miracles in the last three days, he’ll stay at Lazio. Only time will tell. This summer no club was ready to pay what Lotito asked for so I think the situation won’t change.
He touched on if a departure in January was possible.
No one knows. Everything depends on the World Cup, everything is possible.
The agent was evasive when discussing a possible contract renewal for Milinkovic-Savic.
There are only a few days left on the market and there’s no time to discuss the contract. We have a lot of time ahead, there’s the World Cup. The future will be for talks.
Kezman spoke about the difficulty of trying to find an agreement with Lazio president Claudio Lotito.
It’s not easy to please Lotito, after Sergej’s great season I thought 100% a club would come along with an offer. But because of COVID and the war the situation has changed. Italian clubs can’t afford him now.
Those abroad show great interest, but when they realise how much money is needed it becomes a problem. With Sergej we talk every day.
He has been informed of everything, he understands the situation and is motivated to continue his life with Lazio. He knows that one day he will have a new adventure, he deserves to try that.
He spoke about the costs of his client and if the oft-floated €100 million figure has any truth to it.
I often talk to Lotito, he understands us, but we understand him too. Sometimes I get angry at his decisions. He invested, he helped Sergej together with Tare and Inzaghi to become one of the best.
€100 million? He decides for his club. He was talking about €100 million and if you look at the way Sergej plays maybe he was right.
But Lazio haven’t won major trophies in Europe so I can say that €100 million is too much. I repeat, he’s the boss. The player has a top contract, we respect that.
Kezman discussed some of the teams interested in Milinkovic-Savic.
Manchester United? Sergej arouses a lot of interest. There’ve been many talks in the past and recently, but things haven’t happened for many reasons.
Chelsea? Tuchel likes the player a lot, but they needed a centre-back.
Arsenal and Newcastle? To be honest Sergej and I think these options aren’t for him. In the future he’ll want to play in the Champions League every season.
The agent confirmed Juventus’ appreciation of the Serbian midfielder.
Everyone at Juve loves the player. I’ve spoken about him very often in the past. But the reality at the moment is that the Sergej project is too expensive for them. They have been clear and correct.
He also noted the interest of Stefano Pioli’s Milan.
The same goes for Milan. Pioli loves the player, everyone at the club. I have great respect for Maldini, first as a player and now as a manager, an honest and forthright person.
Kezman commented on how close a possible departure was this summer for Milinkovic-Savic.
After his first season we received the best offer from an Italian club, I won’t say the name. Three years ago a top English club were very interested, two years ago another Italian club.
Lotito has always shown a great desire to keep him, to make the fans happy, the coaches happy. And the player with top offers.
€140 million turned down? I don’t know €140 million, I know €98 million.
Finally, Kezman discussed his relationship with sporting director Igli Tare.
I’ve always been on good terms with the club, not with Tare or Lotito. With Tare we understand each other well, he has done great things. With Lotito there is mutual respect.
