Igli Tare insists Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has a strong bond with Lazio, but ‘whatever happens will be the best choice for him and the club.’
The Serbia international’s contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires in 2024 and talks over a new deal have led nowhere so far.
“Those who have played for Lazio have a strong bond with the club and the city,” Tare told DAZN on Monday night.
“Some players have been here for a long time and Milinkovic-Savic is among them. He he has a solid bond with Lazio and whatever happens will be the best choice for him and the club.”
The midfielder’s agent Mateja Kezman, a former Chelsea striker, said in August that both Arsenal and Newcastle had tried to sign his client during the summer transfer window, but approaches were rejected as the midfielder wants to play Champions League football regularly.
He added that Chelsea were also interested in the Serbia international, who has been followed for many years by their former boss Thomas Tuchel who was still in charge of the Blues then.
Milinkovic-Savic joined Lazio from Genk for €10m in the summer of 2015. He has scored 64 goals in 324 appearances with the Biancocelesti.
The 27-year-old made his senior debut with Serbia in 2017 and has gone on to score seven goals in 39 games with his national team.