Chelsea have been presented with an enticing opportunity to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer. The player’s agent, Mateja Kezman, is a former Blues player.
Kezman reached out to Chelsea, keen on finding a new challenge for his client. With Milinkovic-Savic’s contract with Lazio set to expire next year, the Serbian international is available for a reasonable fee of €40 million.
The Pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic
As the transfer window looms, Chelsea’s focus has shifted towards player sales. However their attention will soon turn to reinforcing their midfield for the upcoming season. Kezman reached out to Chelsea to aid them in resolving their midfield issues.
Chelsea’s midfield is undergoing significant changes, with Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic leaving the club. Consequently, the London giants are exploring various options to strengthen their midfield. Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are among the players the club has targeted. However, the option of signing a well-established midfielder like Milinkovic-Savic has now emerged.
Competition from Top Clubs
According to reports from Rome-based newspaper Il Tempo, Chelsea finds itself among the contenders vying for Milinkovic-Savic’s signature this summer. Lazio demands a fee of €40 million (£34 million) for the midfielder, who has been with the club since his move from Genk in 2015. Speculations suggest that Lazio might consider accepting a slightly lower offer of €30 million (£25.7 million), but they will not entertain anything less.
Other Premier League clubs have also approached, but Chelsea’s strong connections with Mateja Kezman position them as the leading contender among potential suitors. However, Juventus is another prominent contender in the race. Nevertheless, they face challenges in negotiating the asking price set by Lazio.
Manchester United, long-time admirers of Milinkovic-Savic, had recently reignited their interest in the midfielder. Regardless, if Chelsea decides to pursue Kezman’s offer, they could potentially outmaneuver their rivals and secure the services of the talented Serbian, avenging Manchester United’s potential acquisition of Mason Mount.
Milinkovic-Savic, stands at an imposing height of 6 feet 4 inches. He possesses qualities that are well-suited for the physical demands of the Premier League. Throughout his career at Lazio, he has showcased his ability to contribute to goals, with 69 strikes in 341 appearances. In the most recent season, he notched up an impressive tally of 11 goals in 47 outings.
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