BARCELONA have handed Manchester United a huge blow in their chase for Serbia World Cup star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic after they entered the race to sign the 23-year-old.
United are still deciding whether to pay Lazio’s rumoured £120million asking price, while Barcelona could sneak in offering less money, but would send midfielder Rafinha the other way as well.
United have been linked with Milinkovic-Savic all summer but his ever-rising price tag has made them wary, especially after a £52m outlay on Shakhtar’s Brazilian midfielder Fred.
But as La Repubblica report, Barcelona are now ready to swoop and make concrete their own interest in the player, hoping the player-swap deal will ease Lazio’s hand.
The Serbian’s breakout season in 2017/18 saw him top the Serie A goalscoring charts for midfielders with 12, earning him a place in his country’s World Cup squad.
In Russia Milinkovic-Savic played every minute for Serbia, but Mladen Krstajic’s side crashed out in the group stage after defeats to Switzerland and Brazil.
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After his World Cup exit, Milinkovic-Savic said he needed time to ‘rest’ before making a decision on his future, admitting he would be open to staying with his current club, with Juventus and Real Madrid also interested.
He said: “I need a little bit of rest now. I’ll return to Rome and I would be happy if I stay at Lazio, as I’m content there and I have a contract.
“I read something different in the papers every day, but I haven’t thought about it yet. First I’ll rest for a bit, then we’ll see.”
With Jose Mourinho looking to bolster his midfield this summer to provide support for Paul Pogba, United’s depth was boosted by out-of-contract Belgian Marouane Fellaini signing a new two-year deal last week.