Don't Miss

Arsenal keen on signing Lazio ace Milinkovic-Savic

By Ritayan Chatterjee on October 24, 2022

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, as per the Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb.it.

The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A since joining the Biancocelesti back in 2015 from KRC Genk. After enjoying a productive campaign last term, the Serbian has started the new season in a similar manner, scoring three goals and registering seven assists in 11 league appearances.

Arsenal considered strengthening the midfield in the summer window and made a late attempt to sign Douglas Luiz on deadline day. But, they couldn’t get that deal over the line and in the end, failed to add more firepower to their engine room before the window slammed shut.

Fabrizio Romano previously reported that after failing to sign a new midfielder in the last transfer window, Mikel Arteta’s side remain interested in bolstering their midfield options in January.

Meanwhile, Calciomercatoweb.it is now stating that Arsenal will ‘do anything’ to lure Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to the Emirates Stadium in the upcoming transfer window.

Milinkovic-Savic to Arsenal

The report further claims that the Gunners are willing to offer a swap deal involving Albert Sambi Lokonga plus cash to sign the Serbia international. Lazio would accept the Belgian midfielder – valued at £22m (€25m) plus a fee of around €60m (£52m) to sell their star man.

The report also says that Manchester United have been following the highly-rated midfielder for a very long time, while Juventus have also shown interest in signing him. So, Arsenal are set to face stern competition to purchase the Serbian.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could be a very good acquisition for Arsenal. The 27-year-old can play anywhere across the middle of the park and his productivity going forward as well as work-rate in defending would be a big asset for Mikel Arteta’s side.

However, the Lazio man likes to be deployed in more advanced role and Arsenal already have enough firepower in their attacking midfield position. The Gunners indicated last summer that they are eyeing a defensive-minded midfielder by making a move for Luiz.

So, it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal would go for Milinkovic-Savic in the upcoming transfer window. The midfielder’s current deal will expire in 2024. If he becomes available for a reasonable price next summer then the north London club could go for him. Otherwise, swapping Lokonga plus spending £52m for the Serbian might not be a shrewd decision by the club’s hierarchy.