Lazio reject €100m bid from Manchester United for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Reports

Lazio have rejected a whopping €100m bid for enforcer Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Manchester United. According to reports, Lazio president Claudio Lotito is holding out for at least €100m for the Serbian star.

United are reportedly preparing for life without Paul Pogba, who is keen on forcing a move to Barcelona this summer, and have identified Milinkovic-Savic as the perfect replacement for the Frenchman. However, with under 24 hours remaining until the window slams shut, Lazio hold all the aces.

“I certainly won’t push to sell him, but if you ask me how much he is worth, then I need to remind you that last year I turned down €110m. How much was Pogba sold for to Man Utd? €110m? Then Milinkovic is worth even more, because he’s much better. Now rest assured, I’m not interested in loan formulas or technical counterparts,” Lotito was quoted as saying.

Milinkovic-Savic is under contract with Lazio until 2022 and is himself in no rush to leave the club. However, a move to Manchester United is the dream for most professional footballers and he might be tempted by the money on offer as well as the prospect of Champions League football.

The 23-year-old has been one of Lazio’s standout players since his move from Genk, playing a key role in their fifth place finish last season, scoring 12 goals in 35 league appearances. He was also an integral part of Serbia’s World Cup squad, featuring in all of their games.

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He will be an ideal replacement for Pogba if he were to move to United, capable of playing the box-to-box role to perfection. However, considering the small window that’s left for the deal to take place in, it’s unlikely to happen this summer.

Jose Mourinho has only signed three players this window – Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot and Fred – and it looks like it could be another long, hard season for United.