Now that the change of ownership at Stamford Bridge is over, Chelsea are back on the transfer market, linked with everyone.
Other than Raphinha and Matthijs de Ligt, a name that has resurfaced in the past few days has been that of Sergej Milinković-Savić.
The Lazio midfielder could be facing his last few weeks at Lazio if the right offer is put in front of the Serie A side, with the Serbian somewhat feeling a change is needed.
He isn’t desperate to leave, but there appears to be enough interest that an exit is being considered, with Chelsea the latest to take an active interest in his services.
Corriere dello Sport dedicate a rather large section to this matter, with rumours that Igli Tare, Lazio’s director of football, could be heading back to London, which would be ‘the second time in a fortnight’.
The first time he went to the capital, he ‘had talked to Chelsea’ about Milinković-Savić, who has already discarded both Arsenal and Newcastle, wanting a club that plays in the Champions League.
Regardless of where he goes, Milinković-Savić loves Lazio, and ‘if he ever were to leave, he would shed a tear’.
Despite this affection for the Serie A side, ‘no one can swear that he will stay, quite the opposite’.
Chelsea are said to be ‘attempting the lunge’, but reports of an €80m offer are wide off the mark, because while ‘there have been talks’, the Blues ‘have not gone as far as that’.
Thomas Tuchel’s side could bring forward a package with a counterpart, but the idea that Jorginho could be included is difficult to believe due to his high wages.
A more realistic option would be Emerson Palmieri, highly rated by Maurizio Sarri, and ‘a cheque of €50m + Emerson would perhaps be an adequate offer for Lazio’, but ‘checks and confirmations are needed’ first.
Gazzetta dello Sport, down their end, claim Tare is already in London since Tuesday evening, which has naturally rekindled the Milinković-Savić stories.
While they haven’t got any confirmations that talks to that effect will indeed take place, the fact Chelsea have two players liked by Sarri in the aforementioned Emerson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could facilitate matters.
One to keep an eye on.
