Manchester United are reportedly preparing an offer for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Erik ten Hag has bolstered United’s squad ahead of his first season in charge with three new signings. Two of those have been defenders in Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez, with the other being free agent Christian Eriksen.

A new holding midfielder is still on the agenda at Old Trafford, and with no real progress being made regarding a move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, it looks as if United officials are moving on to Milinkovic-Savic.

The Latest: Milinkovic-Savic offer

The Daily Mail relayed an update from an Italian outlet regarding United and Milinkovic-Savic on Thursday.

They claim that the Red Devils will make an opening £42m offer, with the player's agent set to present Lazio with an offer they can't refuse from United by the beginning of August.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-man-utd-updates-5/" title="Latest Man Utd updates!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The Verdict: Shrewd alternative?

Milinkovic-Savic, labelled as 'extraordinary' by Demetrio Albertini, is valued at a whopping £63m by Transfermarkt and is mainly a central midfielder with an eye for a goal after 73 strikes for club and country throughout his career.

Still just 27 years of age, you’d like to think that the Serbia international has plenty of high-level years ahead of him and could be at the peak of his powers.

United can’t afford to waste any more time when it comes to midfield reinforcements with the new season fast approaching, and with the player's agent set to go to Lazio with a bid from United they can't refuse in the coming days, a transfer could gather pace relatively quickly.