Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s agent Mateja Kezman admits Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is an admirer of the Lazio star who has turned down offers from Arsenal and Newcastle, while ‘Serie A clubs can’t afford him.’

The Serbia international was among the best midfielders in Serie A last season having contributed to 22 goals in 37 games (11 goals and 11 assists). He has been linked with leaving the Stadio Olimpico through the summer, but Lazio didn’t receive suitable offers.

“Unless a miracle happens in the last days [of the summer transfer window], he will stay at Lazio. Time will tell for how long,” his agent Kezman, a former Chelsea striker told Il Corriere dello Sport newspaper.

“No club matched Claudio Lotito’s asking price this summer and I don’t think the situation will change.”

Could SMS leave in January?

“I don’t know, it all depends on the World Cup, everything is possible,” said Kezman.

The ex-striker doesn’t seem open to signing a contract extension with the Biancocelesti. Milinkovic-Savic’s contract at the Stadio Olimpico runs out in June 2024.

“Only a few days are remaining before the end of the summer transfer window and there is no time to discuss his contract. There is the World Cup too, we’ll talk in the future,” he said.

“After his excellent season, I thought that a club would have surely made an offer, but due to COVID, the situation has changed. Italian clubs can’t afford him. There was interest from foreign clubs, but problems began when they learned how much money they needed [to sign the player].

“I often talk to Lotito, sometimes we argue, but he has invested in Sergej, like Tare and Inzaghi, helping him become one of the best.”

Does Lotito want €100m to sell him?

“The club decides, Lotito was talking about €100m and if we look at Sergej’s performances, he may be right. However, Lazio haven’t won big trophies in Europe, so I think €100m is too much. I repeat, he is the boss, the player has a contract and we respect it.”

Did Manchester United make an offer this summer?

“Sergej has attracted interest, there have been talks in the past, but things didn’t happen for many reasons.”

How about Chelsea?

“Thomas Tuchel likes the player so much, but he needed a central defender.”

Arsenal and Newcastle?

“Honestly, Sergej and I think that these options are not for him, he wants to play Champions League football consistently in the future.”

SMS has entered his eighth season at Lazio where he has scored 58 goals and delivered 54 assists in 297 games. He has begun 2022-23 on a high note with two assists in the opening three Serie A games.

2 thought on “‘Tuchel likes him, no to Arsenal and Newcastle’ agent reveals truth about Milinkovic-Savic’s future”
  1. Agent talk, blah, blah, blah, blah. Do you expect an agent to say nary a bad word about a client?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector