Chelsea have reportedly joined Arsenal and Newcastle United in having an interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbian international has been with the Serie A side since 2015 where he has developed into one of Europe’s best midfield players, finishing last season under former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri with 11 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
Lazio have a price tag on Milinkovic-Savic of around £51.3million according to Corriere Dello Sport, with the same publication reporting that the Blues were now one of the clubs with an interest in the 27-year-old. The report also claims no club have so far been willing to meet the asking price but does say that Lazio have an interest in Chelsea pair Emerson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
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If accurate, that could put the Blues in the driving seat to pursue a deal for Milinkovic-Savic. Thomas Tuchel is in need of reinforcements in midfield and has been given £200million by new owner Todd Boehly to help reshape the playing squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign - though after three months of sanctions they are playing catch-up in the market.
Currently, Tuchel has Jorginho and N’Golo Kante as regular starters in midfield but both are into their 30s and have contracts expiring in a year’s time, while Mateo Kovacic made 44 appearances in all competitions last season. Tuchel will reportedly give Conor Gallagher a chance to impress this season following his successful year on loan at Crystal Palace, but there is a need for another experienced player to boost Chelsea’s ranks in the middle of the park - especially if Kante or Jorginho are allowed to leave this summer.
The club have looked closely at PSV midfielder Ibrahima Sangare this summer, who is believed to have a £29.9million release clause in his contract. He would be the cheaper and younger option to Milinkovic-Savic while both would cost significantly less than West Ham’s Declan Rice who is valued at around £150million by the Hammers.
Chelsea’s focus at the moment seems to be concentrated on their defence, with contract talks ongoing with club stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta over a new deal while discussions are also taking place between the club and Sevilla over a transfer for centre-back Joules Kounde.
The Spanish club are holding out to get a good price on their £69million asset but have been aware of Chelsea’s interest for a long time, with the Blues short on centre-backs following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Milan Skriniar and Pau Torres have both also been considered, while Denzel Dumfries has also been linked with a move to west London to boost Tuchel’s defence.
