Gazzetta Dello Sport is reporting that Manchester United are set to face a transfer battle for Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
What’s the story?
The report says that PSG are interested in the Serbia international, which means they are set to fight it out with the Red Devils for his signature – they are long-term admirers of the midfielder.
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They also add that the valuation for the 25-year-old is €100m (£86.5m).
Fernandes arrival means no need
Lazio have been in stunning form so far this campaign. As it stands, they are top of the Serie A table, two points clear of Juventus – although the Old Lady do have a game in hand on the Rome-based outfit – and Milinkovic-Savic has played a big part in their success. He has featured in all but one of their 26 games so far this term, scoring four goals and providing four assists along the way.
A central midfielder, his arrival would be bad news for one of the two players in his position in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Most often this season, that has been Fred and Scott McTominay, and it is likely the latter whose place in the side would be in danger.
Both players have very similar stats defensively – the Scotland international has two tackles per match and 1.3 interceptions in the Premier League, compared to the Lazio man’s 1.6 and 1.3 respectively. Going forward, too, they both have their strengths – Milinkovic-Savic has managed more key passes per game, but McTominay has more dribbles per game.
In the middle of the park, Fred is Solskjaer’s pass-master – he has a pass accuracy of 87.4% this term in the top flight – meaning there is space for just one of the other two in the middle of the park. There is little to separate the two, but the Serbian does carry a greater goal threat – he once scored 12 goals in a league season. At £86.5m, his signature would like may him a guaranteed starter, and McTominay could very well be the victim.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer must keep this young starlet in mind.