Former Chelsea manager and current Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri has praised Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge from Lazio, while Jose Mourinho is also understood to have tracked his progress in the past.
The Blues have numerous issues to sort out this summer including in defence, midfield and attack. Defence is the position likely to be given priority treatment, whilst the other two depend on outgoings. It is understood that if any Chelsea midfielders were to depart this summer, it would be Jorginho, who is angling for a move back to Serie A.
Amid links to the likes of Adrien Rabiot and others that have emerged in recent days, another option to have surfaced is Serbian international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Lazio have a price tag on the player 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 claim that Lazio have an interest in Chelsea pair Emerson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
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Whether or not swap deals of this complicated matter can be done between the two clubs remains to be seen but Nemanja Matic's former international teammate being valued at considerably less than new Real Madrid player Aurelien Tchouameni and Rice himself means that Lazio's No. 21 could represent value for money. Two former Blues bosses in the form of Sarri and Mourinho are aware of the player's talents, which will only encourage Todd Boehly and his new board to seriously consider his acquisition.
Sarri, despite admitting Milinkovic-Savic's world-class capabilities, is well aware of all the transfer speculation and has made an encouraging Chelsea transfer prediction in the process by already ruling out Italian compatriots Juventus. "I’ve coached great midfielders, like (Piotr) Zielinski and (Marek) Hamsik, and he’s one of the best. He really is a complete player with great quality," he admitted recently.
He then added: “Speaking to the President, I have become convinced that if Milinkovic does leave, and that will not happen easily, he will not remain in Italy.” This certainly opens the door to Chelsea and others, including Arsenal and Manchester United, who both have been credited with an interest in a player who has drawn Paul Pogba comparisons in the past.
Mourinho himself had reportedly watched the Serie A star in the flesh whilst Red Devils boss- something that can only be a positive sign. Players watched by the Portuguese usually have something about them to their game which is unique and top class. "I am a Lazio player but it is obvious that I was pleased that a coach of his stature came to watch the match," Milinkovic-Savic said on the former Chelsea manager's attendance back in 2018.
"I read a little bit everywhere he was here at the stadium to see me play, but that does not mean anything. Maybe he was not here for me, but for someone else."
