Sergej Milinkovic Savic is one of the best midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. The Lazio man has been performing at a high level for many years. There have also been rumours about big clubs looking to sign the Serbian international. Manchester United, Arsenal, Inter, Real Madrid, Juventus… are just some of the clubs credited with interest. And every time, Lazio’s eccentric president Claudio Lotito found a way to convince his star player to stay. However, that is about to change.According to reports from the highly trusted Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Juventus have already struck up a deal with the midfielder. The player’s agent, former Chelsea and Atletico striker Mateja Kezman, has met with the Turin club representatives several times and trashed out a $6 million-per-year contract for his client. Pedulla reckons Milinkovic Savic will also get substantial performance-related bonuses as a Juventus player. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6833926##Lazio are determined to keep their most influential player, but it may be too difficult this time. With only 18 months of Sergej’s contract left, he’s willing to sign a new contract to stay at Stadio Olimpico – but only if a release clause worth no more than 40 or 50 million included. Lotito had the idea of asking for an eye-watering sum of $100 million for SMS to fend off offers, but his hands could be tied by the contract impasse.The arrival of coach Maurizio Sarri at Lazio last summer has arguably seen Milinkovic-Savic not just recapture his best form but surpass it. The 27-year-old registered 12 goals and seven assists in Serie A since 2018. Since Sarri took charge of the Biancocelesti 17 months ago, Milinkovic Savic has hit the back of the net 14 times and weighed in with 18 assists in league action. Furthermore, he has played with confidence and self-assurance that is impossible to miss, imposing himself as one of the best players in Europe.🔥🔥 Accordo fra #MilinkovicSavic e la #Juve per la prossima stagione!! Secondo @AlfredoPedulla Milinkovic, per riconoscenza, potrebbe rinnovare ma a patto che ci sia una clausola non superiore ai 40-50 milioni, mentre Lotito vorrebbe fissarla a 70. ⚔ #calciomercato #Lazio pic.twitter.com/wOMtiBtIs1— Transfermarkt.it (@TMit_news) November 22, 2022 The midfielder has spent seven years in a sky-blue shirt and doesn’t intend to leave the club on a free transfer, leaving the club without a hefty transfer fee. But he simply wants to leave and make a new step in his career. Besides, the longer the talks go on, the lower the price tag Lotito could potentially put on his star man. Currently, a fee of around $70 million would be considered fair by all parties.Juventus are closer than ever to get their man. Now it’s up to Lotito to accept reality and strike a deal with the Serie A rivals.
