Manchester United are reluctant to pursue Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Lazio insist on £87.5million for the midfielder.
The 23-year-old has been offered to United a number of times this season with the original price closer to £70m, however, increased interest has driven up the price and the Italians are keen to maximise profit on the Serbia international.
Real Madrid have also shown interest but United have opted against a deal as they assess what role he could play in their squad.
United are finalising a £50million move for Shakhtar Donatsk’s Fred who will fit alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, who is still expected to stay despite interest from PSG.
If Pogba was to go that could open the door for Milinkovic-Savic but at this stage his price is acting as a deterrent in United’s thinking.
United do want another midfielder but not at that price. They are still talking to Marouane Fellaini over a final contract offer though he has a deal on the table from AC Milan.
Mateja Kezman, the agent of Milinkovic-Savic, who has a good relationship with Jose Mourinho and United head of academy Nicky Butt, has told of great interest in his client but the price tag limits where he could go with United, Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain the only viable options at that figure.