Arsenal have made an enquiry over the availability of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with his contract set to expire in 2024. The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the Serbian international in the summer but a move never materialised.
Milinkovic-Savic has no desire to extend his current deal and that stance seems to remain the same meaning Lazio will likely sell next summer or in January to avoid him departing on a free. Arsenal got the opportunity to take a closer look at the 27-year-old at the World Cup in Qatar and although Serbia exited the tournament without a victory, Milinkovic-Savic's quality was clear to see.
A goal in the frantic 3-3 draw with Cameroon prompted Lazio president to Claudio Lotito to make a huge claim on his star player: "Guess how much he's worth - he scored a goal at the World Cup with his ankle injured and he's the best midfielder in the world."
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football.london understands that a wide player and central midfielder are the priority areas the club are exploring. Milinkovic-Savic certainly fits into the category of the latter, as does Leicester City star Youri Tielemans who seemed destined for a move to north London at the end of the season, but could now move in January.
Lotito has been firm on his price tag for Milinkovic-Savic, recently telling Il Messaggero: “I will not sell Milinkovic-Savic, I will offer him a renewal. I reiterate, he is now worth €120m, and every month that passes, the price goes up.”
However, in order to receive a fee, that price may significantly drop in the summer with Arsenal just one team to set their sights on a possible summer acquisition.
Spanish outlet Relevo are reporting that the Gunners have made an enquiry over Milinkovic-Savic's availability with Mikel Arteta and Edu preparing the ground work over a potential summer swoop. The report adds that his current price tag of between €80-100million (£68.7-85.9m) could drop to between €40-50million (£34.3-42.9m) at the end of the season.
Chelsea are another club lining up a potential bid with their midfield needing a significant summer overhaul. Milinkovic-Savic would prefer to remain in Italy, but Juventus aren't currently interested or perhaps even capable of paying close to the fee Lazio would demand.
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