Another day, another story about what could happen to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer.
When we last left the saga, Paris Saint-Germain were the latest to join the party and challenge Manchester United thanks to a report in L’Equipe, with claims things could ‘accelerate’ after the Serie A season comes to an end this weekend.
This certainly went against what local newspapers like Il Tempo have been reporting, suggesting Lazio would wait until after the World Cup to consider a deal for their star, knowing full well a great tournament could further increase his price on the transfer market.
The same newspaper have a story on the matter this Thursday, and they stick by their guns.
A lot of it is much of the same, with José Mourinho’s admiration for the Serbia international once again mentioned, wanting the midfielder ‘at all costs’, and Manchester United being one of the few clubs capable of affording Lazio’s likely €100m+ asking price.
However, what has changed is where Lazio are in Serie A, currently fourth, three points ahead of fifth-placed Inter, whom they play in their final game of the season on Sunday.
As things stand, Simone Inzaghi’s team are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League, and should Luciano Spalletti’s group prevail in the clash, the roles would be reversed thanks to their head-to-head record (the other game was drawn 0-0).
Should Lazio qualify, however, Il Tempo believe they have a good chance of keeping Milinkovic-Savic for an extra season, allowing the 23-year-old to develop further and experience the elite European competition without too much pressure prior to his big move abroad.
The player himself has never actively expressed a desire to leave Rome in the summer, always making sure to promote his focus on his current club for the time being, and it certainly sounds like the decision will come down to what Claudio Lotito and co. want to do this summer.
Should they refuse offers, Milinkovic-Savic won’t force a move, but if they accept one, he’ll probably leave to allow Lazio to reap the benefits his transfer would bring to the club’s bank account.
It’s a waiting game for Manchester United.
