Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to sign highly-rated Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Red Devils have been linked with several names in the January transfer window, as interim manager Ralf Rangnick continues his hunt for a new central midfielder to bolster his squad. However, it remains to be seen whether the Mancunian club would back the short-term appointee Rangnick in this transfer window.
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero (h/t Sport Witness), Manchester United are leading the race for the signature of Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic ahead of the summer transfer window. Juventus and Inter Milan are also keeping close tabs on the Serbian international, but he dreams of joining Real Madrid, the report adds.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 26, has established himself as one of Serie A’s best midfielders in recent years. He has emerged as a key player for Lazio and is enjoying another strong campaign in Serie A, where the midfielder has racked up seven goals and eight assists in 21 games.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Man United—A top midfield option for the Red Devils?
Improving the midfield area is seen as a top priority heading into the summer for Manchester United, with several players facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard are nearing the end of their contracts at Old Trafford, and the former will be a difficult name to replace if he decides to leave on a free transfer in the summer. Nemanja Matic is well past his prime, while Donny Van de Beek is yet to enjoy a fair crack of the whip at Man United since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2020.
Amidst the uncertainty over the futures of some central midfielders at Man United, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has emerged as one of the options under consideration. Milinkovic-Savic joined Lazio from Genk in 2015 and has racked up 54 goals and 47 assists in 274 appearances for the club, which are remarkable numbers for a central midfielder.
An all-action midfielder, the Serbian is a top passer and distributor of the ball with great vision and aerial ability. He can spot a pass in the final third, link-up play and time his runs perfectly into the box to finish off a move. The ex-Genk man is also handy from dead-ball situations and is always an asset to have in the box from set pieces.
Milinkovic-Savic’s all-action midfield attributes and leadership qualities make him an appealing target for Manchester United, who are seemingly lacking natural leaders. The Lazio ace could come in at Old Trafford as an ideal replacement for Pogba, who remains hesitant over signing a new contract.
At 26, the Serbian international is entering the prime stage of his career and a move to Man United in the summer would just be ideal in every sense.