Sergej Milinkovic-Savic jokes it has been ‘like every other summer’ where he is linked with Juventus, Manchester United and more, yet is perfectly happy to be starting another new season at Lazio.
The Europa League campaign begins on Thursday against Feyenoord at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
“We must do well, we’re fired up and can’t wait to play this game,” said the Serbian midfielder in his press conference.
The summer was again spent with reports Milinkovic-Savic could be on his way out of Lazio, with Manchester United and Juventus among those heavily linked, but once more he remained with the Aquile.
“It was the same as every other summer. You lot always spoke about different clubs and then I started a new season with Lazio. We have a lot of young players, it’s the second year under coach Maurizio Sarri and we’ve got clear ideas with a stronger mentality than before.
“I am happy that tomorrow will be my 300th game in the Lazio shirt, I still remember the very first and all those years that have since passed. I don’t know what to tell you about the transfer market, that’s for my agents and the club to think about. I am here with a smile on my face and I’m happy.”
Still the questions kept coming about his situation at Lazio and whether Milinkovic-Savic would try to push for a move away if they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
“I am not thinking about next year, I want to keep taking it one game at a time. Unfortunately, I only played one season in the Champions League, I thought there would be more by now, but that’s true for many of the players here. It’s a stronger squad than last season.”
Can he see himself being the Lazio captain one day, or imagine the next seven years of his career at the Stadio Olimpico?
“As long as Ciro Immobile is here, I don’t think I can be captain. If he stays on for seven more years, I’ll still be vice-captain!”
Milinkovic-Savic has struggled to make his mark in Europe and did not find the net in the last two seasons. “It is a bit strange, we had a tough group last year and in Europe there’s more focus on the points, so it doesn’t help the team attacking quite as much as in Serie A.”