Manchester United are set to boost their midfield options by completing the £80 million signing of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to the Sun.
The 23-year-old, who moved to the Italian club back in 2015, has enjoyed a stellar 2017/18 campaign, establishing a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest talents.
An imposing midfielder with an eye for goal and a killer pass, Milinkovic-Savic has 13 strikes to his name, this term and has attracted interest from a host of major European sides, though it appears United are set to win the race for the Serbia international’s signature after agreeing to meet Lazio’s asking price.
It would seem that the Old Trafford outfit are determined to get their business done early and with the midfielder set to star for Serbia in this summer’s World Cup, there is every possibility that his valuation would increase by the end of the tournament.
Despite improving on last season’s sixth-placed finish, United have underachieved this term and are some way off arch-rivals and champions Manchester City.
Their elimination at the hands of Sevilla in the Champions League round of 16 was particularly disappointing, with some of the Old Trafford faithful appearing to turn up the heat on Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho.
The Manchester United boss – who could still end the season with silverware by masterminding an FA Cup final victory over former employers Chelsea – will be determined to catch Pep Guardiola’s men next term and adding a highly-rated midfielder such as Milinkovic-Savic to his ranks will go a long way towards doing so.
Mourinho will lose the services of veteran Red Devils midfielder and club captain Michael Carrick, who will retire at the end of the campaign, whilst Marouane Fellaini remains locked in contract talks with the club, with the Belgian set to become a free agent this summer.
Nemanja Matic has enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in Red after joining United from Chelsea last year, though the jury remains out on Paul Pogba, who has endured an underwhelming campaign, putting in a string of disappointing performances, as he struggles to live up to his billing as one of the world’s greatest midfielders.