Arsenal will look to reward themselves if they win the Premier League title by making a major summer transfer, according to a new report. Following their significant success this season, the Gunners have been linked with a number of high-profile names ahead of the summer window.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is one of the most talked-about names on that proposed list as he looks likely to depart the London Stadium this summer. Brighton's Moises Caicedo was also of interest to the Gunners in January, but that transfer ship could now have sailed with the Ecuador international signing a new contract on the South coast.
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi also has admirers at Emirates Stadium but looks unlikely to leave Spain for Arsenal. While all three names have been discussed at length, there is one midfielder who has been linked with a switch to Arsenal for several transfer windows.
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Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has once again emerged as a target of Arsenal with two major updates being revealed in this long-lasting transfer saga. First, Gazzetta Dello Sport are reporting that Arsenal will finally sign the midfielder this summer as a ‘gift’ to themselves if they end the season as Premier League champions.
With eight games to play, Mikel Arteta's side do sit top of the table but will undoubtedly face a stern challenge from Manchester City in the final months of the season.
There is however, no guarantee the 28-year-old approves the move, especially after rejecting a switch to north London last summer, but he looks to have now changed his stance. With his contract expiring in 2024, Lazio are concerned about losing him on a free transfer and are therefore set to offer the Serb a new bumper contract, according to the Daily Mail.
However, their report adds that Milinkovic-Savic has no intention of accepting it now, instead insisting 'we'll talk about it at the end of the season.' Back in October Lazio chief Claudio Lotito named his price for the club's star asset, claiming it would only increase with each passing month.
Speaking to Il Messaggero, Lazio's chief said: "I have no agreement with his agent [Mateja] Kezman to sell him to Juventus or anyone else in the winter. On the contrary, he is now worth €120m [£105m], not €100m [£88m]. Every month the price goes up."
While Milinkovic-Savic is a fantastic player, that fee is highly unlikely to be Lazio's asking price, especially with his contract situation. Last month, CalcioMercato reported that a sum of €45M (£39m) would likely suffice.
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