Arsenal ‘ready to take action’ to sign Serie A star as agents ‘push’ for €35m transfer | OneFootball

Arsenal are ‘ready to take action’ to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio in the summer.

The Serbian midfielder has long been linked with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United frequently credited with interest.

But Lazio have previously demanded in excess of €100m for Milinkovic-Savic, and negotiations have never progressed because of that hefty valuation.

However, with the 28-year-old’s contract expiring in the summer of 2024 there is increased speculation that he could be allowed to leave for a significantly lower fee.

The Serie A side have made extension offers which have been rebuffed by Milinkovic-Savic, and Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness) now claim there is an acceptance from both player and club that a transfer may now be the only recourse.

‘All roads lead to a sale’ in the summer, with Lazio said to be demanding €50m, though the report claims Milinkovic-Savic’s agents are ‘pushing’ for him to move for as little as €35m.

It’s claimed that Arsenal and Juventus are ‘at the window, ready to take action’.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson would love to see Milinkovic-Savic move to the Emirates, after he claimed the Gunners “missed a trick” in not signing him last summer.

Merson wrote in his Daily Star column last July: “Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the player I would go for. I think Milinkovic-Savic is a lovely player. A really top-drawer player.

“The way he played for Lazio last season I personally think he is the best midfield player in Italy. I know Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, but why there isn’t a queue of clubs lining up to buy the Serbian, I do not know.

“I think a lot of clubs are missing a trick.”

Milinovic-Savic has eight assists and four goals in 24 Serie A appearances this term, and could be an ideal alternative to Granit Xhaka in Arteta’s midfield.

The Serbian is thought to want to move to a Champions League club having spent just one campaign in Europe’s showcase competition.