Lazio are reportedly considering offering Sergej Milinkovic-Savic a one-year contract extension in order to strengthen their negotiating position amid Premier League interest.
The 27-year-old Serbian midfielder seemed set for a high profile move to a top European club entering this summer’s transfer window and quickly both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United made approaches. Neither managed to convince Lazio with their offers, however, and a move still hasn’t materialised as the summer transfer window starts to draw to a close.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Lazio are aware that Manchester United could return with an improved bid this month as they search for midfield reinforcements, but should a move not occur they want to guarantee Milinkovic-Savic’s immediate future.
Claudio Lotito’s plan would be to offer the Serbian midfielder a one-year contract extension in September that contains both a salary bump and a release clause.
Initial indications suggest that Milinkovic-Savic wouldn’t sign a renewal. He’ll be hoping to shine at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and a strong tournament could be exactly what he needs to earn a move in the following January transfer window. Dusan Vlahovic’s €75m move from Fiorentina to Juventus earlier this year is proof that high profile deals can still take place mid-season.