Better than Xhaka: Arsenal submit bid for £47m animal who’s “one of the best”, he’s way better than Xhaka
Arsenal have reportedly submitted a bid for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
What’s the word?
That’s according to Il Messaggero, via Sport Witness, who claim that the Gunners have tabled an offer somewhere in the region of €50m-€55m (£42m-£47m).
Having just announced their fourth signing of the summer, it appears that their spending spree is just getting started.
Newcastle United have also bid for the Serbian, however the Italian outfit are demanding upwards of £50m for his services.
He is way better than Xhaka
Milinkovic-Savic is the complete midfielder, and it is shocking to think he is still yet to join the Premier League. His price tag could have once been off-putting, but with it reportedly dropping to €80m (£69m) back in March, it makes much more financial sense.
He is tall, physical, can defend and attack, and receives widespread praise from all who play with or against him.
It therefore makes perfect sense that Mikel Arteta would look to continue his spending on replacing the 29-year-old Granit Xhaka with a slightly younger, upgraded model.
The Serbia international has often deputised as Lazio captain and leads by example from central midfield. Last season he scored 11 and assisted 11, denoting another wonderful season where he has hit double figures for both goals and assists.
This has therefore led to him receiving an average SofaScore rating of 7.28, which far dwarfs that of Xhaka’s 6.87. Although both occupy slightly different roles within their teams, the Arsenal man does not come close to the Lazio goliath.
Standing at a hulking 6 foot 2, he boasts incredibly offensive statistics.
He ranks in the 98th percentile for total shots, the 90th percentile for shot-creating actions, and the 98th percentile for progressive passes received, which all mark him out as a midfielder who is desperate to push his team up the pitch and create chances.
For comparison, Xhaka ranks in the 52nd percentile for total shots, the 87th percentile for SCA and 67th percentile for progressive passes received.
This willingness to attack and the attitude that comes with it has led to Maurizio Sarri labelling him “one of the best” midfielders he had ever worked with.
He went on to dub him a “complete player with great quality”, who “also has great determination.” These factors all culminate into the remarkable player he is today.
He would certainly improve any Premier League side, and with the money already flowing freely out of the Emirates, to improve upon Xhaka with this midfield monster would be one of the smartest transfer decisions they could make.
