Arsenal were ruled out of a move last summer after failing to finish in the top four.
Arsenal are said to be leading the race to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. According to reports, the player is now willing to join the Gunners following their strong start to the season.
Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. The 27-year-old has spent the last seven and a half years in Serie A with Lazio, where he has established himself as one of Europe’s best midfielders.
Midfield is not a priority position for Arsenal to fill during the upcoming transfer window. Mikel Arteta wants to bring in a winger as well as reinforcements up front.
Arteta, on the other hand, is eager to seize any opportunities that arise. Milinkovic-contract Savic’s with Lazio expires at the end of the season.
If he does not sign a new contract, he will be able to speak with foreign clubs about a free transfer in just about a year. According to Corriere dello Sport, Lazio do not want to risk losing their star player for nothing.
According to the report, Arsenal has been secretly interested in Milinkovic-Savic in recent months and scouted him during Lazio’s 2-0 win over Verona in September. If he were to leave the Italian club, the Serbia international initially desired to join a club competing in the Champions League.
Arsenal were ruled out of a move last summer after failing to finish in the top four. However, the Gunners are flying high at the top of the Premier League, and qualification for the Champions League should be a given at this point in the season.
Milinkovic-Savic is said to be more willing to join Arteta’s project. His agent, former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, is currently scouting market options for his client.
Kezman is looking for an offer worth between £35.2 million (€40 million) and £44 million (€50 million) to present to Lazio. According to the report, Arsenal is now in pole position to sign Milinkovic-Savic, despite the fact that no offers have yet been submitted.
Since joining Lazio from Belgian side Genk in the summer of 2015, the experienced star has made over 300 appearances. With Mohamed Elneny’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Arteta may see Milinkovic-Savic as a longer-term midfield option.
This season, Thomas Partey has shone, but he turns 30 in June, while Granit Xhaka is a year older than the Ghanaian. Milinkovic-Savic is not a young signing, but he may be nearing the end of his career.