Arsenal are the favourites to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness.
Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as one of Serie A's most well-rounded No.8s over the last few years, with his rare blend of technical ability, physical prowess and intelligent movement making him one of the most widely sought-after players in Italy's top-flight. It is now claimed that the Serbian international is keen to leave Lazio at the end of the current campaign and the Gunners are said to be frontrunners in the race to sign him.
The 27-year-old has netted four goals and provided a further seven assists across all competitions this term and former Arsenal hero Paul Merson has previously urged Mikel Arteta to go out and sign the midfielder sooner rather than later. Speaking last year, Merson said to the DailyStar: “Youri Tielemans would fit nicely at Arsenal if James Ward-Prowse takes the soft option and stays at Southampton.
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“I start to worry when that happens when a player plays it safe like that. What are you going to do, realistically, at Southampton? West Ham wanted Ward-Prowse and that would have been a good move for him too because they will finish above Saints.
“But I said before that Arsenal should have gone in for him. The thing is, if he’s staying at Southampton, maybe he doesn’t have the ambition? Leicester’s Tielemans would tick the box for Arsenal. He’d be a decent alternative. But Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the player I would go for.
“If Arsenal get either of those two, they have had a major window. Now more than ever, Arsenal need a top-class midfielder to compete with the best. And I think Savic is a lovely player. A really top-drawer player. The way he played for Lazio last season, I personally think he is the best midfield player in Italy.
“I know Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, but why there isn’t a queue of clubs lining up to buy the Serbian, I do not know. I think a lot of clubs are missing a trick. The thing with Tielemans is that he plays in the Premier League. He already has the know-how. He’s proven. And Arsenal don’t have time for bedding players in.”
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