Juventus are very much aware that they cannot beat Manchester United in a transfer race for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Lazio star is set to end his seven-year spell in Rome this summer after becoming a fan favourite at the club. After years of service, he believes now is the best time to depart.
The Red Devils are set to undergo some major changes at the end of the season when Ralf Rangnick will relinquish his managerial post and join Austria. Erik ten Hag will make the move from Ajax to the Old Trafford dugout.
But as well as the manager, there will be a new look to the squad with several players looking to leave when their contracts expire. That includes Paul Pogba, who has already left the United WhatsApp group ahead of his impending departure.
One area that Rangnick has told the club to improve is in midfield, where the prospective exit of Pogba will leave them even lighter than usual. One player that has long been linked has been Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbia international has been a standout performer in Serie A for a number of years but has always remained loyal to Lazio throughout his time there. That was even when United made the midfielder a potential target if they failed to sign Pogba in 2016.
Now there might not be a better replacement with Milinkovic-Savic telling the club that he is ready to make the next move in his career while the Serie A outfit are willing to grant him his wish. There is plenty of interest in his services, including from United and Juventus.
However, according to Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Juve are very aware that a transfer battle with the Red Devils is impossible. They cannot compete financially with them, despite their past as Serie A's biggest predators.
The Old Lady are often the favourites when it comes to snapping up the best players in Italy. But this time, they are already willing to give up in the battle for Milinkovic-Savic.
That might be good news for Ten Hag, who will need to refresh the squad ahead of the summer transfer window. However, United will not have a clear run at Milinkovic-Savic with Paris Saint-Germain also interested in the Serbian.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with United while his agent, Mateja Kezman, who used to play up front for Chelsea, has rubbished reports that he claimed that his client had made up his mind over an Old Trafford transfer.
"It’s fake news,’ said Kezman. "I have never given interviews in the last period, some journalists are really incredible! I’m very angry, it is a lack of respect towards me, towards Sergej and Lazio."
As well as midfielder, United are looking to sign a striker with Edinson Cavani set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. Several have linked including Benfica ace Darwin Nunez and Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
