Transfer News: Boost for Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri admits Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could leave
Speaking in an interview as quoted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (h/t Football.London), Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri seems to have handed his former club, Chelsea, a transfer boost by admitting that midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will not join an Italian club if he were to leave in the summer.
The Serbian footballer has been one of the top midfield players in Serie A in the past few years and has been consistently one of the stand-out players for the Italian club. That would naturally see him get linked with a move away from Stadio Olimpico.
The 27-year-old has played 46 times for Sarri’s team this season scoring 11 goals and setting up 12 during this period. With such numbers, he tends to go fairly under the radar. The Serbian international has all the skills to be one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world.
Capable of playing as a central or attacking midfielder, former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted that he is not sure if his player desires to leave the upcoming summer but is sure of the fact that Milinkovic-Savic will not make a transfer within Italy.
“I’m not sure that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will leave this summer as it’s not easy. But I’m convinced that if it happens, Milinkovic will sign for a foreign club and not an Italian one.”
An opportunity for Chelsea?
Signing the midfielder makes perfect sense for the Blues who could be looking to strengthen that area of the pitch. Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are both entering the final year of their respective deals and it makes sense for Chelsea to procure replacements just in case.
Saul Niguez is here at the Bridge but was only signed on a loan deal. If and when he returns to Atletico Madrid, there would be a spot to fill, with Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek often failing to impress Tuchel enough to get consistent starts.
Thomas Tuchel could do with a player of such quality in his ranks. The midfielder has a contract with Lazio till 2024 and if he is looking for a fresh challenge, Chelsea seems to be the perfect match.
The Blues however are not alone in their interests with Arsenal and Tottenham also being constantly linked with the player. Chelsea need to be alert to convince the player and get a deal done as soon as possible if the player indeed becomes available.
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At 27, the Serbian comes at a very appealing age with some of the best years of his career still ahead of him. At the right price, Chelsea must bid for Milinkovic-Savic at the very least. Whether he chooses to come here remains to be seen, however, but it would certainly be wise for us to try our hand at getting him.