Manchester United are reportedly gearing up to make a firm proposal to Lazio for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic after learning the total package it would cost to bring the Serbian star to Old Trafford.
United manager Erik ten Hag has endured a frustrating summer thus far with just three new arrivals coming in. Indeed, his efforts to strengthen the midfield have stalled for weeks as United have waited to push through a deal for Frenkie de Jong. But having seemingly failed to gain any ground on his signing, it seems Ten Hag and United have very quickly moved on.
To that end, a deal to bring Adrien Rabiot to Old Trafford appears to be gathering pace. A fee with Juventus has already been agreed. Now United have held what’s described as ‘positive talks’ with his agent and mother Veronique on Tuesday.
Her demands have now been made clear and – if all goes to plan – Rabiot could sign on the dotted line in the coming days.
However, he does not look like the only midfielder set to sign for United this summer.
Indeed, reports emerged on Monday’s Euro Paper Talk about how a deal for Milinkovic-Savic was also gathering pace. Indeed, it’s suggested the Serbian midfielder is now strongly pushing for the move in the wake of fresh United interest.
And with Lazio now seemingly ready to sell, the player – a long-standing target for United – could finally find himself Old Trafford bound.
The story features prominently in three Italian newspapers, with all three adamant a move could be on the cards.
Il Corriere dello Sport say Milinkovic-Savic is pushing for the move, having rejected rival interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic wage demands come to light
With two years left on his deal, La Repubblica claims Lazio are asking £57.5m for the midfielder. And that’s a fee United are seemingly willing to meet.
And finally, Gazzetta dello Sport claims the 27-year-old Serbian will demand wages of around £120,000 a week at United. Over a four-year deal that he is reportedly seeking, that amounts to a total salary package of £24.9m.
However, with a deal for Rabiot cost around £17m, United could feasibly find themselves able to sign both players for a similar fee they were willing to pay for De Jong.
That double deal would represent a shrewd piece of business for Manchester United, given the £71m fee they were seemingly ready to pay for De Jong.
The capture of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic may finally bring an end to the Scott McTominay, Fred axis too. That has become an all-too familar theme for United, and one for which does not offer them enough quality.
Their performances over recent times have come in for plenty of criticism.
And they pair were also the recipients of more flak on Sunday following the defeat to Brighton.
Speaking about the double pivot, a frustrated Keane made his feelings clear to Sky Sports.
“The decision making and the football intelligence, in particular from Fred – and I’ve said this for a long time – Fred and McTominay are not good enough. They won’t get Manchester United back competing at the top.
“We see it week in, week out. [They are] not up to it.”
Scholes wants ‘McFred’ gone
Scholes described the first half showing against Brighton as “shambolic” before agreeing with his former teammate.
He told Premier League Productions: “The quality in the middle of the pitch was really poor.
“I was happy he [McTominay] didn’t get sent-off [for a late challenge], but I think he was slightly lucky. Again, he’s running with the ball, absolutely ridiculous. The quality in the middle of the pitch was nowhere near good enough. But we have seen that for the last few years with these two players.
“With Fred and McTominay, he [Ten Hag] is going to have to play just one of them [moving forward] but even one of them is probably too many. Fred gives the ball away all the time and McTominay tries run with it constantly and then gives it away. Pass it to your best players…
“It’s not that difficult. It’s criminal on a day like today.”
United, meanwhile, are also reportedly gearing up for a move to sign Cody Gakpo. The PSV player is well known to Ten Hag and also comes with an attractive price tag despite an excellent season in the Eredivisie.