Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates scoring their first goal
Arsenal have submitted a bid of around €40m (£35m) for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to a report.
The Lowdown: Arsenal eyeing midfielder
Arsenal were very interested in signing a central midfielder during the January transfer window, going as high as £70m in their bid for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo, however their advances were rejected outright.
The Gunners continue to be linked with a move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, and they are now said to be in pole position for the Englishman, but Milinkovic-Savic is also a subject of interest for the north London club…
The Latest: Offer made
According to a report from CalcioMercato, the Serbian is almost certain to leave Lazio in the summer, opening the door for a move to the Premier League, and there are multiple teams eyeing a deal.
Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle United are all said to have made bids in the region of €40m (£35m) for the midfielder, via his agent Mateja Kezman.
The Verdict: Get it done?
Hailed as ‘sensational’ by journalist Josh Bunting, the 28-year-old’s main strength is his ability inject end product from midfield, weighing in with 11 assists in the Serie A last season, while he also picked up the same number of goals.
It has been yet another strong season playmaking-wise for the Lazio ace, currently on eight assists in the Italian top flight, now ranking in the 97th percentile for assists per 90 compared to other midfielders in the past year.
After missing out on Caicedo in January, the Gunners brought in Jorginho, however he does not offer much in the way of attacking threat, averaging 0 non-penalty goals and 0.06 assists per 90.
Milinkovic-Savic is a very different type of player, with a proven track record of finding the back of the net, and Mikel Arteta should undoubtedly pursue a summer deal.
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