Inter have hit a stumbling block in negotiations with Lazio over a potential deal for Sergej Milinkovic Savic according to reports from Calciomercato on Sunday afternoon.
The Italian outlet had previously reported that Inter had reached an agreement in principle with Milinkovic-Savic and his agent shortly after the Champions League final in June, but nothing had materialised formally between the Nerazzurri and Lazio.
Calciomercato believes that Milinkovic-Savic would have been offered a ‘top’ contract in terms of salary in a deal that would have run for a minimum of four years.
However, Lazio’s asking price is one of the main reasons why Inter may decide to look elsewhere. The Biancocelesti are reportedly after a fee of around €40m-€50m for their star midfielder, despite the fact that he has less than a year remaining on his contract.
The availability of Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi for a significantly cheaper fee is also partly why Inter’s pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic has stalled.
Inter have plenty of competition for Frattesi, particularly from within Italy, but Calciomercato writes that his signing is now one of Inter’s top priorities.
There is also a potential situation where Milinkovic-Savic decides to stay on with Lazio. If the club are not able to agree upon a suitable fee this summer, the Serbian international could walk away for free next summer.
He could, however, also be talked into signing a new deal with the club where he has already spent nine full seasons. That would certainly be the ideal situation for Lazio, albeit at Inter’s expense.