Tare Praises Human Qualities of Lazio Star Midfielder

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare praised the human aspects of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic amid serious transfer rumours.

The 27-year-old Serbian midfielder is being heavily targeted by Juventus ahead of the January transfer window, with the Turin giants reportedly preparing a €50m offer. Lazio want to tie down Milinkovic-Savic to a new contract, with only 18 months left on his current deal, but the player and his agent have asked to postpone negotiations until after the World Cup.

Speaking to Mozzartsport (via LazioNews24), Tare spoke highly about Milinkovic-Savic’s human qualities and behaviour at Lazio.

He arrived to us as a boy and is now a grown man. After eight years at the club, he is an important person for us and not just as a footballer. That is what I appreciate most about him. He is very simple as a person. 

A very humble guy. He has never been conceited or arrogant. He’s a very polite guy. And as a player it’s something else. He can do even better. If I ever had a daughter, I would give her to him. 

Is that clear enough? He’s a very quiet boy. He has a lot of respect for me even though I always criticise him. Sometimes after a game, when he’s playing well, he comes and asks me, ‘good or bad?’ 

I always say it’s not good and then he laughs that I’m never satisfied. I always tell him to leave behind everything he has done. To keep looking ahead and grow.

The 27-year-old Milinkovic-Savic has continued to be the star man in Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio squad this season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in 20 games across all competitions.

He’ll be hoping to play a leading role for Serbia in their World Cup campaign, and a good performance in the tournament could be the perfect advertisement for him ahead of the January transfer window. 

Tags Biancocelesti Igli Tare Italy Lazio Milinkovic-Savic Rome Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Serie A Tare