Real Madrid set to battle Manchester United for highly-rated Lazio midfielder

Real Madrid are reportedly looking to beat Manchester United to the signature of highly-rated Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Blancos have been tracking the youngster with a view of a making a move in the summer if reports from Spanish publication Marca is to be believed. Real will, however, face stiff competition from Premier League duo Manchester United and Manchester City – who also are believed to be admirers of the 22-year-old.

The defending Spanish and European champions have had a torrid domestic campaign and all sign point to massive movements in the summer at the Bernabeu. According the report, Real have shortlisted 25-30 players and are vigorously scouting the names on the list.

A towering presence at the middle of the park who is incredibly fluid in his movement and ball-control, Milinkovic-Savic has impressed all and sundry ever since his arrival from Genk. The youngster has, in fact, also drawn comparisons with United midfielder Paul Pogba in recent times.

Many have touted him as the man to move to Old Trafford next summer as Jose Mourinho looks for the third man in his midfield-three to play alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

In recent times, the Red Devils have played academy graduate Scott McTominay in the midfield with Michael Carrick touting the youngster as the one to replace him in the long run in the side. Milinkovic-Savic, however, will add much needed depth as well as quality to the centre of the park.

There have been murmurs of discontent from the Pogba camp in recent times regarding his playing position under Jose Mourinho and Milinkovic-Savic will provide Mourinho with a similar weapon who also has 100 senior appearances for Lazio.

For the Serie A side, this news will be welcome as interests from three of the biggest sides from Europe will only help generate some real buzz and a potential bidding war which they can really cash in on.