Man Utd told Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer fee as Red Devils eye Paul Pogba replacement - 7M sport

Man Utd told Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer fee as Red Devils eye Paul Pogba replacement



Posted Sunday, July 21, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Man Utd told Sergej Milinkovic-Savic transfer fee as Red Devils eye Paul Pogba replacement
Man Utd transfer news: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will cost more than Paul Pogba did in 2016 (Image: Getty)

MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly have to stump up over £89.8million to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants reinforcements in the middle of the park having lost Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera since the turn of the year.

His options in the position may be complicated further should talisman Paul Pogba get the move he desires.

The Frenchman said in June it may be time for a “new challenge” after three years back at Old Trafford while his agent Mino Raiola has confirmed in recent weeks he is doing all he can to force a transfer.

If United’s top goalscorer - who also managed the most assists in the squad - last season does depart, Old Trafford chiefs believe they have identified the 'ideal' replacement in Milinkovic-Savic, according to Eurosport.

The outlet claim the Serbian is 'destined' to leave Lazio this summer despite having four years remaining on his Stadio Olimpico contract.

Milinkovic-Savic is a commanding figure in central midfield, standing 6ft 3in, but had just eight goal involvements in 31 Serie A games last term.

Nevertheless, Lazio know the value of their player and will demand no less than £89.8m, according to the report.

United paid a club-record £89m for Pogba, which has not been exceeded since, to bring him back from Juventus in the summer of 2016.

Juventus and Inter Milan were courting Milinkovic-Savic having seen him first-hand for the last four seasons.

The Old Lady have already embellished their midfield with the signings of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot, however, while Inter cannot afford the player, with United's £90m-rated Romelu Lukaku their top target this summer.

One hurdle in United’s sales pitch with prospective signings this window has been the level of football they can offer.

Solskjaer’s side failed to qualify for the Champions League last season and will, therefore, have their Premier League fixtures altered by Thursday night games in the Europa League, which they won in 2017.

Milinkovic-Savic is ostensibly unbothered by that fact, though, and would not see it as a reason to snub United.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito admitted on Friday he may be powerless when it comes to Milinkovic-Savic’s future.

“We’ve created a glasshouse, where it’s understood that people can’t be forced to perform their roles in an environment where they feel cramped," he said. "Milinkovic has shown sincerity and responsibility, so that isn’t the case with him. He feels good here.

"Last year I managed to resist the assaults of other clubs, but this year I’d have fewer weapons if a different solution was proposed to the player. Let’s say that I used up some of my weapons last year."



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