Newcastle United have reportedly been handed a boost in pursuit of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, with the Serbian international not keen to put pen to paper on a new deal at the Italian capital amid Premier League interest.
Milenkovic-Savic’s current contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires in June 2024 and Lazio are eager to extend the Serbian star’s stay.
According to Gazzetta, Lazio President Claudio Lotito has offered a new €4 million-a-year deal until 2026 with a release clause of €60 million to fend off Premier League interest as Arsenal and Newcastle eye a move for the Serbian international.
However, the 28-year-old is in no rush to agree an extension to his current agreement, insisting ‘we’ll talk about it at the end of the season.’
The midfielder’s agent Mateja Kezman seems unwilling to continue talks with the Biancocelesti knowing that his client has attracted interest from several clubs in Serie A and around Europe.
His agent said back in August that he wants his client to join a club playing Champions League football, which is why he didn’t entertain offers from Arsenal and Newcastle less than a year ago.
Champions League-chasing Newcastle have been in direct touch with Milinkovic-Savic’s agent Kezman over a proposal to move to Tyneside to join the appealing project under Eddie Howe.
However, Gazzetta claims that Arsenal would like to ‘gift themselves’ a new midfielder in the summer if they go on to triumph the Premier League trophy at the end of this season.
The 28-year-old is in his prime and he could make an instant impression in the Premier League given he has the technical ability and the physicality to thrive in English football.
The midfielder has 8 goals and 8 assists to his name across all competitions this season.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola compares goal-machine Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi