Fresh speculation out of Italy suggests that the Gunners will compete with Juventus for the transfer of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the upcoming January Transfer Window.
Despite the fact that initial reports from Lazio Sporting Director Igli Tare attempted to dispel suspicions over the future of the Serbian footballer, sources continue to link Sergej with potential clubs. Reports from last summer indicated that Arsenal was looking to add a midfielder to their roster, and despite missing out on Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on Transfer Deadline Day, it’s probable that those plans haven’t changed.
As a professional footballer, S.S. Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, popularly known simply as Sergej, got his start with Vojvodina, where he was instrumental in the club’s 2013–14 Serbian Cup victory. A bronze ball winner at the U-20 FIFA World Cup, Milinkovic-Savic signed with Belgian club Genk in 2014 before moving to Italian powerhouse Lazio the following year.
Over the course of his career at Lazio, Sergej has appeared in more than 250 games and helped the team win the Coppa Italia as well as the Supercoppa Italiana. During the 2018-2019 season, he was voted the best midfielder in the league and was honoured with the title. After witnessing his spectacular performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, several top clubs are now vying to capture the rising football star.
According to sources, Lazio president Claudio Lotito is likely to agree on a loan transfer of £8.8 million, which has an obligation to make the move permanent for £35.5 million in the summer, suggesting that Arsenal could target a bid for the midfielder this month.
There has reportedly been little movement in contract talks between Milinkovic-Savic and Lotito, leading to speculation that the club is prepared to begin releasing the player during the current transfer window. Furthermore, sources claim that Arsenal and Juventus, both of whom have reportedly held talks with the player’s representatives, are interested in getting a contract signed at the earliest.
Although rumours of a potential transfer for the Serbian international player have circulated for some time, they appear to have picked up steam in recent weeks, with Arsenal being repeatedly mentioned as a possible destination for the former Genk footballer. Additionally, the Islington-based club dispatched scouts to see Lazio’s 2-0 September victory over Verona, making Arsenal’s aspirations to sign Milinkovic-Savic clear to other clubs.
Mikel Arteta’s team has been in the best form this season, and that has piqued the versatile midfielder’s interest in a move to England, where he has been linked with a transfer on numerous occasions. The Gunners are in first place in the Premier League at the moment, with various punters from around the world cashing in on the Palmerbet bonus bets as they back the 13-time league winners to go for glory. Additionally, Arteta has pushed his club to speed up the process of integrating new players, so they settle in with the new environment.
The fact that Milinkovic- Savic’s contract with Lazio only runs through 2024 means that the club may attempt to move him before the contract expires in the summer. In addition, the U-19 gold medallist has not decided to extend his stay with Maurizio Sarri’s squad, even though there are still 18 months left on his present deal with the Biancocelesti.
Juventus sees this as a great opportunity to add the Serbian to their roster and is working hard to do so, if not immediately, then at least by the summer. The midfielder has been one of the best players at his position in the Italian Serie A over the past few years, and Allegri’s squad recognizes this. While the Bianconeri would love to have the 27-year-old this month, it seems unlikely they can persuade Lazio to let him go for a modest transfer fee.
Numerous top clubs are reportedly interested in signing Milinkovic-Savic, and there have been whispers about Lotito hinting at the potential of a contract extension; as a result, it is clear that the promising player can take his pick from a strong pool of bidders.
