Arsenal have been handed a huge boost in the race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for some time now as he continues to impress in the Italian top-flight.
Milinkovic-Savic has featured 21 times for Lazio in the Serie A this season, directly contributing towards 12 goals from midfield. The Serbia international's impressive performances have courted the interest of Europe's biggest clubs, including a number of Premier League clubs.
While Maurizio Sarri's side have been determined to hold onto his services, Lazio appear to have conceded that Milinkovic-Savic won't sign a new deal. The midfielder sees his contract at the Stadio Olimpico expire at the end of next season, potentially making him available for a cut-price fee.
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According to Corriere dello Sport, Lazio believe that they could rake in around €40million (£35.3m) for Milinkovic-Savic. The report states that the Premier League remains his 'most likely destination', with Newcastle and West Ham set to rival Arsenal for his signature.
However, it's said that Milinkovic-Savic prefers a move to the Gunners, who are currently top of the Premier League. With Mikel Arteta in the market to sign a new midfielder, the Spaniard has a number of candidates on his list.
football.london understands that the north Londoners still want to sign Declan Rice despite welcoming Jorginho to the Emirates Stadium last month. Arsenal were also famously linked to Brighton star Moises Caicedo in January but a move failed to materialise.
It's also understood that the Gunners hold an interest in Martin Zubimendi. Edu tried to bring the Real Sociedad star to Arsenal last month also but the Spanish outfit were adamant that he would not leave the Reale Arena as they look to secure a Champions League place in La Liga.
As the Gunners narrow their search for a midfielder, Glen Johnson has warned Arsenal that Rice will reject a move to the Emirates Stadium. Speaking to Betfred, as quoted by the Express, the former Chelsea defender said: "I can't see him moving to Arsenal in all honesty.
"Even if Arsenal win the league this season, I’d still be really surprised if they win the league again next season. They look great at the moment and things are going really well for them, but this is a total outlier season for them because they’ve been nowhere near this good previously under Mikel Arteta.
"Have they turned everything around in six months to be title challengers on a consistent basis? I don’t believe so," added Johnson. "Even if Arsenal win the league I don’t believe Declan will move there because the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, three teams who haven’t been at their best, are not all going to underperform again next season.
"If two or them can get back to their best next season, then Arsenal are going to be fourth or fifth possibly."
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