Lazio open to selling Milinkovic-Savic, Inter reportedly leading suitor

Clubs across Europe will likely step up their efforts to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic following comments made by Lazio owner Claudio Lotito suggesting the club is open to selling the highly sought-after Serbian midfielder.

"Nowadays it's very complicated for a player to tie himself to a club for his entire career," Lotito told Calcio Mercato, as translated by Ben Nagle of the Daily Mail. "However, Lazio are doing well, our players show great affection for the club and perhaps they're persuaded to stay for what we're doing on an infrastructural level, with the recent renovation of our training ground.

"But unfortunately, Lazio don't have the economic power of Barcelona and Real Madrid, so if a once-in-a-lifetime offer comes in, it'd pose a problem or us."

Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, as translated by Football-Italia, reports Inter Milan have made Milinkovic-Savic their top target and have 'an agreement in principle' to acquire him when the summer transfer window opens.

Manchester United were reportedly considering a move for Milinkovic-Savic last summer before abandoning their pursuit once it was revealed that Lazio wouldn't budge from their €100-million (£87.4-million) valuation.

News of Lazio's willingness to entertain offers for Milinkovic-Savic comes just over a month after he signed a new five-year contract.

This season, Milinkovic-Savic has struggled to replicate the form that attracted so much interest last summer, scoring just once and providing one assist in 11 Serie A matches for Lazio.