Chelsea open talks with Lazio for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Transfer News: Chelsea in initial talks with Lazio over Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
According CalcioNews24(h/t Soccer. London), Chelsea have started talks to bring Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are interested in signing the £68 million ranked midfielder to strengthen his midfield. The Serb has two more years left in his current contract and no sign of him plans to renewChelsea could make a move for him this summer.
Maurizio Sarri, who is also the former Chelsea boss, has shown interest in Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Emerson Palmieri; but a potential exchange agreement involving these players for Milinkovic-Savic has already sucked.
The above report adds that Sarri would be ready to let go of the midfielder if his former players join him in Italy. This could be a major boost for Chelsea as they hope to sign the Serbian midfielder.
A good signing?
Last season was disappointing for the Blues as they lost the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and Tuchel hopes to strengthen the team this season, especially the midfield. The trio Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are the regular starters in the middle of the park, but they have been overworked.
Loftus-Cheek was the replacement for this trio and Tuchel was not so trusting. Saul Niguez’s loan time at Chelsea has been highlighted by the fact that he spends most of his time on the bench. Billy Gilmour will return from a loan spell at Norwich City and will most likely be a substitute player, while Ross Barkley barely played last season which is unlikely to change next season.
Adding a midfielder is said to be one of Tuchel’s top priorities if he wants to compete for silverware next season. Milinkovic-Savic could help solve this problem. Box-to-box midfielder, the Serbian played 37 league matches for Lazio score and assist 11 eachhelping his side finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League.
He would also be a great alternative to Declan Rice who West Ham United are asking for huge money. The Serbian has similar traits compared to the Englishman and could be a very reasonable and sensible signing. He could be the team’s workhorse after Kante.
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Chelsea must play their cards right to land the player. The lure of Champions League and Premier League experience might be enough, but its price might be a problem. However, the price can be negotiated down and he could turn out to be a great signing for Tuchel.