Lazio president Claudio Lotito claims that he rejected an €140m offer for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Milan in the past.
The 28-year-old Serbian star finally seems destined to leave the Biancocelesti this summer, ready to end an eight-year relationship with the Roman club.
Saudi side Al-Hilal are seemingly closing in on a deal for Milinkovic-Savic, offering €40m to Lazio and €60m total to the midfielder, spread across three years.
Speaking to Il Messaggero via Calciomercato, Lotito first highlighted how he tried to offer a new deal to Milinkovic-Savic.
“I wouldn’t have sold him, I offered him an extension at almost €6m, Sergej chose his future.”
He was asked about Milan’s attempts to sign the Serbian star back in 2018.
“It’s true, I decided to refuse an offer from Galliani of €140m. It was €60m right away and another €80m, payable over five years with the Champions League. I didn’t regret it.”
The Lazio president gave his thoughts on Al-Hilal’s offer for Milinkovic-Savic.
“Al-Hilal’s offer is less than €50 million. If I had waited for the right one, I would never have sold him, but I always keep my promises and I had made a commitment to the boy that I would accept the lowest offer for him.”
Finally, Lotito confirmed his intentions to move forward as planned, with or without Milinkovic-Savic.
“If the contract is not signed and payment made, he will go into the training camp. Pay coin, see camel.”
Many fans have already highlighted how Lotito suggested that he refused the €140m offer from Galliani in 2018, even though the director had left by that point. More likely, he was referring to the efforts of Massimiliano Mirabelli, Leonardo and Marco Fassone.