Lazio sporting director Igli Tare had high praise for star midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and suggested that qualifying for the Champions League wouldn’t ‘be a miracle’.
The 27-year-old Serbian midfielder has been the subject of much transfer market noise in recent months, with only 18 months left on his contract with the Biancocelesti. The club are desperate to tie him down to a new deal but Milinkovic-Savic has seemingly stalled contract talks, weighing up his options amid the serious interest from top clubs around Europe.
Speaking via Gianluca Di Marzio, Tare first discussed Maurizio Sarri’s suggestion that it would take a miracle for Lazio to qualify for the Champions League this season.
“I don’t agree with the miracle comment. There is no place to create controversy. Champions League is a goal we said at the start of the season. On the fact that there are so many difficulties to do so I agree with Sarri, also because there are so many prestigious teams fighting for the same objective.
“Lazio have all the cards in order to fight until the end of the season for this objective and they have a duty to try to fight for the growth of this club, which is fundamental.”
The Lazio sporting director then commented on the future of star midfielder Milinkovic-Savic.
“He’s the best midfielder in Serie A. To question his qualities is a utopian thing. The bond he has with this club goes beyond these rumours about his situation.
“At the right time we had a meeting with the president, a month ago with his agents, we are very calm, the relationship we have is excellent.
“I don’t understand why we want to create drama, last week with Luis Alberto… With us these things don’t exist and are clarified internally.”
The 27-year-old Milinkovic-Savic has continued to be a key figure for Sarri this season, scoring five goals and providing seven assists across 22 appearances. It may be hard for the Roman outfit to keep hold of the star midfielder, who has attracted the attention of clubs like Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.