---
title: "Manchester United: Deal for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic agreed pending one condition"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-deal-for-sergej-milinkovic-savic-agreed-pending-one-condition/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Ford"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2019-07-27T18:55:10Z"
modified: "2019-07-27T18:55:10Z"
---

# Manchester United: Deal for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic agreed pending one condition

**Manchester United are thought to be closing in on a deal for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to a report by [Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/) (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/claim-big-man-united-offer-returned-sender-outlets-believe-move-still/)).**

The Italian media outlet claim an agreement has been reached with SS Lazio for the midfielder worth €90million with €75m initially and €15m in bonuses (£81m made up of £67.5m and £13.5m).

However, they also state that although a deal can only be a few days away from happening, Manchester United need to offload Paul Pogba first before it can be completed.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Milinkovic-Savic could be exactly the type of player that Manchester United need in their midfield moving forward. He is a box-to-box midfielder who can be [shifted to holding or attacking midfield roles](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sergej-milinkovic-savic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/266302), meaning he would provide Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with some options to choose from.

Defensively, the 24-year-old is rather comfortable as he averaged [1.4 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/288767/Show/Sergej-Milinkovic-Savic) in 2018/19, but it is in the air where he has excelled, winning [3.6 aerial duels per match](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/288767/Show/Sergej-Milinkovic-Savic) last season. However, compare those stats to fellow compatriot Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrara and there is some distance between them.

Matic recorded an average of [1.8 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/38128/Show/Nemanja-Matic), whereas Herrera [led the charts defensively for the Red Devils](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United) with an average of [2.5 tackles and 1.7 interceptions every 90 minutes.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71174/Show/Ander-Herrera) But, with the Spaniard gone, Matic could do with some additional help and his countryman could be the answer as his aerial game was a lot stronger – Herrera averaged just [0.2](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71174/Show/Ander-Herrera) wins whilst Matic averaged [2](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/38128/Show/Nemanja-Matic) per match.

As mentioned, Milinkovic-Savic is not shy of going forward either and can be rather productive. He scored [seven goals and provided three assists in 41 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sergej-milinkovic-savic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/266302) last season for Lazio, although that was down from the campaign before where he managed [14 goals and seven assists from 47 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sergej-milinkovic-savic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/266302). According to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/288767/Show/Sergej-Milinkovic-Savic), the Serbia international managed 1.5 key passes in his 31 Serie A outings in 2018/19.

And, that’s where losing Pogba for him could become a problem for Manchester United and Solskjaer.

The 26-year-old World Cup winner managed to bag himself [13 goals in his 35 Premier League](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97752/Show/Paul-Pogba) matches last season and came away with figures such as [3 shots on average, 1.6 key passes and 2 fouls drawn per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97752/Show/Paul-Pogba), which led to him [leading the attacking stats for the Red Devils](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United).

Take that attacking element out of a side who [finished fifth in terms of goals scored last season](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals?se=210) in the Premier League and with the added speculation around [Romelu Lukaku’s future](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7289147/Transfer-news-Romelu-Lukaku-talks-Inter-Milan-leaving-Uniteds-pre-season-tour.html) (who [finished second in the goal charts with 12](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United)), it would be a rather risky move to let the midfielder go.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Milinkovic-Savic would appear to be an assured signing for Manchester United this summer and the fact that a deal appears to have been agreed is something that will likely generate a buzz around Old Trafford.

However, with it being suggested that Solskjaer may have to cut ties with Pogba in order for a transfer to go through, should leave those at the club with some thinking to do.

Despite the constant criticism the Frenchman gets thrown his way – indeed, the likes of Graeme Souness (in the Times, via the [Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1091718/Paul-Pogba-Manchester-United-Graeme-Souness-reaction-Liverpool-football)) and Roy Keane (on [Sky Sports](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2EYDHYw2cQ)) – he has proved to be vital at crucial times for the club and his departure could outweigh the potential arrival of Milinkovic-Savic this summer.

***Manchester United fans, do you think Milinkovic-Savic is worth bringing in at the expense of Pogba? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them below!***