Report: Mikel Arteta can sign long-term Arsenal target for €40m after agent ‘promised’ move

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could reignite his interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to reports.

He has become very highly rated in Rome since joining Lazio from KRC Genk for around £10million in 2015.

In 336 appearances for the Italian outfit, Milinkovic-Savic has scored 66 goals and provided 59 assists.

A move to Manchester United was rumoured for quite some time, though the club being linked with the midfielder these days is .

Newcastle United are also believed to be interested and are expected to be very busy in the summer transfer window ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Saying that, both teams will be in that competition next season and need to bolster their midfield.

Milinkovic-Savic’s Lazio contract expires next year, meaning he could be available for a pretty decent fee.

And a report says he will cost €40million (£34.87m), which probably should be widely regarded as a pretty decent fee.

Italian outlet Calciomercato does give Arsenal a mention in their story, but it is not said that Arteta actually wants to bring Milinkovic-Savic to the Premier League.

The Gunners are boosted by the fact Juventus will refuse to pay more than €25m for the Serbian international.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito is ‘asking’ for €40m and is ‘awaiting offers from England’, which has previously been ‘promised’ by the player’s agent Mateja Kezman.

Despite Juventus’ reluctance to meet Lazio’s asking price, they can not be ruled out of the race.

The Biancocelesti are in a bit of a sticky situation given Milinkovic-Savic’s contract situation. It is unclear whether or not they will risk losing him for nothing next summer.

It does seem likely that this summer transfer window will be the last chance for the Serie A club to get a fee for their star player.

Arsenal should not have any problems meeting Lazio’s demands and are expected to sign two new midfielders this summer.

Arteta has reportedly made West Ham captain Declan Rice his number-one target and is still interested in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo having failed to sign him in January.