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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could rekindle his interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to reports.
The Serbian midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League for what feels like an eternity.
He has become highly regarded in Rome since joining Lazio from KRC Genk for around £10million in 2015.
In 336 appearances for the Azzurri, Milinkovic-Savic scored 66 goals and provided 59 assists.
A move to Manchester United has been rumored for some time, although these days the club is linked to the midfielder Arsenal.
Newcastle United are also believed to be interested and are expected to be very busy in the summer transfer window before their return to the Champions League.
That said, both clubs will enter that competition next season and will need to strengthen their midfield.
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Milinkovic-Savic’s Lazio contract expires next year, meaning he could be available for a pretty decent fee.
And one report says it will cost €40m (£34.87m), which should probably be widely regarded as a decent enough figure.
Italian outlet Calciomercato mentions Arsenal in their story, but it is said that Arteta actually wants to bring Milinkovic-Savic to the Premier League.
The Gunners are encouraged that Juventus will refuse to pay more than €25m for the Serbian international.
The president of Lazio, Claudio Lotito, ‘asks’ for 40 million euros and is ‘waiting for offers from England’, previously ‘promised’ by the player’s agent Mateja Kezman.
Lotiti expects Arsenal or Newcastle ‘to come forward’ but we’ll see what happens ‘in June’.
Despite Juventus’ reluctance to meet Lazio’s asking price, a tender cannot be ruled out.
The biancocelesti are in a somewhat sticky situation given the contractual situation of Milinkovic-Savic. It’s unclear whether or not they’ll risk losing him for nothing next summer.
It seems likely that this summer transfer window will be the Serie A club’s last chance to secure a fee for their star player.
Arsenal should have no problems meeting Lazio’s demands and are expected to sign two new midfielders this summer.
Arteta reportedly made West Ham captain Declan Rice his number one target and is still concerned that Brighton’s Moises Caicedo failed to sign him in January.
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