Amidst rumours regarding a move to Manchester United, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić has opened up recently about the same. The Serbian has played down any talks linking him with a move out of the Stadio Olimpico.
The former Genk player usually plays as a central midfielder for Lazio. He is one of the most established assets for the Italian side and has been one of their most nailed players. However, he was in speculations to leave the Serie A side after a spell of six-and-a-half years.
The Red Devils were in the transfer market early this summer searching for a midfielder but to no aid. However, new interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s top priority is the introduction of a new midfielder. As a result, Milinkovic was being linked with the club lately.
Milinkovic’s unseen success at Lazio
The Serbia international joined Lazio from Genk, debuting for the side in a 1–0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round on 18 August 2015. On Sunday 5th December, after scoring against Sampdoria, he became the most prolific midfielder at Lazio. The 26-year-old midfielder surpassed the previous holder Pavel Nedved who held the record with 51 goals for over a decade.
While playing for Lazio, in 272 appearances across all competitions, the player has bagged 52 goals and 45 assists. Along his journey, the Serbian has lifted an Italian Cup and two Italian Super Cups with the Roman outfit. (stats via TRANSFERMARKT)
With a passing success rate of 80.2%, the player is an efficient ball distributor who often likes to play long balls. Playing as a CM, the Serbian has evolved himself into a box-to-box midfielder. While being a solid passer, he also contributes equally towards the defence by winning most aerial duels and averaging 1.2 tackles per game. The player also likes to shoot from a distance and averages 1.7 shots per game. (stats via WHOSCORED)
Recent statement by Milinkovic regarding Manchester United move
While denying his links with Man United, Milinkovic commented the following on his Instagram:
“I see lot of rumours about me but…I don’t care! I just want Lazio to win.”
On the other hand, it was believed that the player was in a disagreement with manager Maurizio Sarri, which the Italian manager recently cleared, claiming it as fake news:
“I only had one fight with Luis Alberto, four months ago. I read one of the biggest fake news, that I had a fight with Milinkovic-Savic. I don’t think so.”
Nevertheless, Milinkovic-Savic still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Lazio contract. Hence the player could make the Premier League side his new destination if he were to make a move out of Italy.
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