Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates scoring their first goal
West Ham United have identified Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as their top target to replace Declan Rice, according to a recent report.
The Lowdown: Rice set to leave?
Rice’s current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, meaning West Ham could be forced into a sale this summer, should they want to receive the highest possible transfer fee.
David Moyes has suggested that their midfielder is worth north of £150m, and there are multiple Premier League clubs interested in his signature, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
As such, the Hammers have now started to identify potential replacements…
The Latest: Milinkovic-Savic is top target
As per a report from The Sun, the Irons have placed Milinkovic-Savic at the top of their list to replace Rice, and he may be available this summer, given that his contract will also have just one year left before expiry.
Moyes is already believed to have sent Alan Irvine on a scouting mission, in order to get a closer look at the midfielder, and he may be in West Ham’s price range, given that he has been overlooked by other clubs.
The Verdict: Make it happen
Such is the talent of the 27-year-old, he was lauded as ‘magic’ by teammate Ciro Immobile earlier this season, who even added that he is ‘on the same level’ as Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
The Serbian’s assist stats certainly put him in the same bracket as De Bruyne, reaching double figures in his previous two Serie A campaigns, while he has already set up his teammates for goals on eight occasions so far this term.
Nobody at West Ham will be keen for Rice to depart, however if he is to leave, then the next best thing is bringing in a replacement who’s on a similar level.
Milinkovic-Savic is exactly that, and he also provides far more of an attacking threat, ranking higher than the Englishman for non-penalty goals, assists and shot-creating actions per 90 over the past year.
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