Lazio president Claudio Lotito reflected previous offers for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and suggested he’d have never sold the star midfielder if it was up to him.
The 28-year-old Serbian midfielder is reportedly on the verge of leaving the Italian capital after eight years, ready to head to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal have offered Lazio around €40 million for Milinkovic-Savic, who has agreed to a three-year deal worth around €60 million total.
Speaking to Il Messaggero (via TMW), Lotito first underlined his lack of desire to sell Milinkovic-Savic this summer.
I wouldn’t have sold him, I offered him an extension at almost €6 million, Sergej chose his future.
The Lazio president was asked about Milan’s attempts to sign the Serbian midfielder a few years ago.
It’s true, I decided to refuse an offer from Galliani of €140 million. It was €60 million right away and another €80 million, payable over five years with the Champions League. I didn’t regret it.
He commented on Milinkovic-Savic’s seemingly imminent move to Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal’s offer is less than €50 million. If I had waited for the right one, I would never have sold him, but I always keep my promises and I had made a commitment to the boy that I would accept the lowest offer for him.
Finally, Lotito made it clear that Milinkovic-Savic is still a Lazio player until things are fully finalised with Al-Hilal.
If the contract is not signed and payment made, he will go into the training camp. Pay coin, see camel.
The nature of Milinkovic-Savic’s move to Saudi Arabia has not gone down well with supporters, either Lazio fans or otherwise, with the general consensus being that he’ll be wasting the prime of his career at Al-Hilal.
