From Italy: Arsenal leading race for ‘extraordinary’ 72-goal wizard; Arteta is winning him over
Arsenal are reportedly in pole position to land a deal for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
THE LOWDOWN: ARSENAL’S PREVIOUS INTEREST IN MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
The Premier League leaders have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past, most notably during the previous summer transfer window, when it was reported that the Gunners were willing to pay £42m to sign him.
Since then, the 27-year-old has gone on to score five goals and deliver seven assists in 20 appearances for Lazio across Serie A and the Europa League.
Now that the January transfer window is just around the corner, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding the Serbian and a potential move to north London.
THE LATEST: ARSENAL IN POLE POSITION FOR MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
According to a report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport on Wednesday (via Sport Witness), Arsenal is the likeliest next destination for Milinkovic-Savic, either during the upcoming January transfer window or in the summer.
The report adds that, despite knocking back the Gunners’ interest in the past, the midfielder is reconsidering his stance in terms of a potential move to the Emirates Stadium, with the project under Mikel Arteta now ‘more convincing’ for the Serbian.
THE VERDICT: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ARSENAL
Hailed by AC Milan legend Demetrio Albertini as a player of “extraordinary elegance“, Milinkovic-Savic has 72 goals and 60 assists to his name across his 354 senior career club appearances.
Across 14 Serie A outings this term, the Serbian has recorded more progressive passes (52) and more goal-creating actions (10) than any other player at Lazio. In addition, his overall league performances have earned him an impressive season rating of 7.41/10 from WhoScored, making him the third-highest rated player in Serie A.
This all shows how well-rounded a midfielder the Lazio star is and what he’d be able to offer the Gunners in midfield if he moves to the Emirates.
If an opportunity to sign Milinkovic-Savic crops up either next month or in the summer, when he will be set to enter the final year of his contract at Lazio, Arsenal should not hesitate in trying to secure his signature, particularly now that they can sell him a discernibly progressive project under Arteta.
