According to reports, Manchester United are looking to submit an opening bid for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Red Devils are eyeing the Serbian international as a possible alternative to FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong.

The Serie A side currently value the 27-year-old at around €80 million. Previously, Lazio president Claudio Lotito set the Serbian’s asking price at €120 million. But with only two years left on Savic’s contract and the midfielder’s wish to leave Stadio Olimpico this summer, Lolito has lowered the asking price. Moreover, the player’s representatives also believe a figure of around €70 million to be more realistic.

When Erik ten Hag took over as Manchester United manager this summer, he had labeled the midfield as a position in desperate need of improvement. The Premier League giants have brought in free agent Christian Eriksen but they still need someone who can operate from deep.

The Red Devils had previously earmarked Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as the primary candidate to bring to Old Trafford. However, the Catalan giants have created a ambiguous situation around the Dutchman’s future and the deal looks in major doubt.

Now, according to Daily Mail, Manchester United are turning their attention towards other alternatives, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio among the potential targets. The Red Devils are preparing an opening offer of £42m to sign the Serbian midfielder in this transfer window.

Manchester United identify Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as alternative to Frenkie de Jong 📰

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 25, 2022

Ten Hag’s side have already held talks with the Italian side regarding a potential move for their star. Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti are set to reject the bid from the English side. Lazio want around £60m for the 27-year-old and are likely to hold out for their valuation.

Player Profile

The Serbian is one of the finest midfielders in the Serie A, scoring 11 goals and assisting another 12 in a total of 47 appearances (stats via Transfermarkt) across all competitions last season. The Serb concluded the 2021-22 campaign in fine form as he helped Maurizio Sarri’s side to finish fifth in Serie A.

Milinkovic-Savic could serve as the ideal signing for Manchester United. The Red Devils are long-term admirers of the Serbian midfielder and even tried to sign him in 2019, but a move failed to materialise as Lazio rebuffed their approach. He is considered to be one of the best midfielders in Serie A ever since his arrival in 2015.

I love Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but I don’t really think he’s what United need at the moment… he’s well suited to be an attacking 8, he’s not a player in the mould of Frenkie de Jong, he’s not a deep lying playmaker, so this would be a luxury signing lolpic.twitter.com/Lj7Or2fZT7

— The Eastern Godfather (@nnoromebuka) July 25, 2022

The midfielder is equally effective going forward as he is in his defensive duties. He has affected nearly two tackles and one interception per game while also winning three aerial duels on average.

United reportedly made their first bid for Milinkovic-Savic in this transfer window a couple of months ago. These opening bids will certainly not convince the Italian club to part with their star midfielder. However, it would bring Lazio to the conversation table, enabling Manchester United to proceed with the negotiations to secure the player’s signature in the summer.

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Sergej Milinkovic-Savic can slot straight into the Manchester United starting XI for the upcoming 2022-23 season. Having spent seven years at Lazio, he would be open to a career change. Moreover, he could be the ideal signing to cover up for the departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

Meanwhile, Lazio fans have been irked by AS Roma’s resurgence under Jose Mourinho and their recent signing of striker Paulo Dybala from Juventus. They would want to hold on to their midfield maestro going into the new season.

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