Manchester United are preparing a bid for 27-year-old Lazio midfielder, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic after agreeing a deal with Juventus for Adrien Rabiot.
The Red Devils are shopping for more midfield options after a shock defeat to Brighton in their 2022-2023 Premier League opener at Old Trafford. The unexpected slump to a lowly-rated Premier League side has gotten Man United fans talking of the prospects of the team under Erik Ten Hag.
The Red Devils opened their preseason campaign on a winning note after a surprised 4-0 win over the 2021-2022 Premier League runners-up, Liverpool. United pulled a stunning and overwhelming performance in their first three preseason matches before they slumped to Atletico Madrid and drew with newly-promoted La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.
Despite a promising preseason run, Ten Hag’s Premier League debut turned to a disaster with a record win for Brighton. The game was evident of the rot in Man United midfield piloted by McTominnay and Fred.
Since he arrived at Old Trafford as manager, Erik Ten Has emphasized the need for piloting and a holding midfielder. Former Ajax star and Barcelona midfielder Frenk De Jong has been on the radar of the Eredivisie winner. But it appears that a personal agreement with the Dutch international is not feasible. De Jong has reiterated his resolve to stay at Barcelona despite the Red Devils agreeing to an £86m deal with the Catalan club.
With De Jong’s deal dragging, the Ten Hag-led club is exploring other alternatives to arrest Man United midfield problems. The club has reportedly reached agreement with Juventus to sign France international and former PSG player, Adrien Rabiot.
Just a day, after reaching agreement for Rabiot, the Red Devils are also targeting Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. The club has previously targeted the midfielder in 2018, but were repelled by a scary Lazio price tag of £100m.
The Italian giants were obviously not going to sell the player that time. Millinkovic-Savic still has a contract with Lazio till 2024, but FutballNews understands they are willing to sell the player. If United’s bid is accepted, the Red Devils will be aiming for a double swoop to land two Serie A stars.
Milinkovic-Savic, A De Jong Alternative?
Manchester United have followed up on De Jong’s negotiation for months. It appears there may not be light at the end of the tunnel on the Frenkie De Jong deal. The Red Devils were not just aiming for a double swoop for Serie A midfielders but were also aiming for three, including Bologna’s Arnautovic.
A bid for the player was rejected by Bologna and Man united pulled out after United fans protested Arnautovic’s racist rant at FC Twente.
Man United’s pursuit of midfielders is an inkling to the disposition of the club toward’s De Jong’s saga.
The Red Devils may not actually pull out of the De Jong deal. They are shopping for other options to balance up if De Jong deal fails to go through. Sergei Milinkovic-Savic is one of such alternative midfield targets.
Millinkovic-Savic have played 47 games for Lazio last season, and has scored 11 goals with 12 assists.
