CHELSEA are locked in a fight with Manchester United to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – with the Serbian a possible N’Golo Kante replacement.
The Lazio star, 25, has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years now.
But his move to England could finally be on with Frank Lampard itching to find a ready-made replacement for Kante.
The former Leicester star, 29, has been linked with a host of European giants in recent weeks – and is even said to have an “agreement with Real Madrid”.
The Stamford Bridge giants are also said to be willing to sell Kante, in order to continue their summer splurge with the signing of Kai Havertz.
But if Chelsea want £70million-rated Milinkovic-Savic, Lampard will have to go toe-to-toe with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping tabs on the Serbian.
Chelsea and Los Blancos are said to have made their moves first, with Man Utd and PSG already playing catch-up, say Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Man Utd chief is itching to continue his side’s march towards the top of the Premier League.
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After taking over a side in disarray, Solskjaer has made a host of impressive signings who’ve thrust the club back into Champions League contention.
Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes are just four well-made signings from the Norwegian.
But with Paul Pogba a target for Real Madrid and Juventus this summer, Solskjaer fears all his hard work could be undone.
So the Old Trafford chief is going hunting for a top-level replacement in order to complement red-hot Fernandes next season.
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Milinkovic-Savic is said to favour a move to a side with Champions League football.
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