Man United target Milinkovic-Savic ‘tells Lazio team-mates he’s leaving this summer’
MANCHESTER UNITED target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has told team-mates he is leaving Lazio this summer, according to reports.
The midfielder moved a step closer to joining the Red Devils last week after the Italian club agreed to let him leave for the right price.
They were initially holding out for around £90million but are willing to offload him for a fee believed to be between £70-80m.
Milinkovic-Savic, 24, has been a long-term admirer of United's and Jose Mourinho attempted to sign him a year ago.
The Italian press appear convinced that he will be heading for a new challenge in the upcoming campaign and remain adamant that Manchester United are the most likely destination.
They have even gone as far to suggest that a contract between player and club has been agreed.
And now publication II Tiempo write that the player has already said his goodbyes to team-mates.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has already admitted that he is prepared to let him leave because of how well he went about his business last summer.
Lotito told Corriere dello Sport: "We have created a glass house and understand that people cannot be forced to play their role in an environment where they feel restricted.
"This is not the case with Sergej. He has showed great affection, responsibility and seriousness.
"It will depend on the events and not on the club.
latest Manchester United news
"Last year I managed to reject the assaults, this year we could propose a matter of respect if the player were to propose a different solution."
Milinkovic-Savic has been an important figure for the Serie A side since signing from Genk for £16m in 2015.
Born in Spain, the Serbian international scored five and assisted three last season but it was the previous campaign where he grabbed the attention of clubs across Europe.
He ended the season with 12 goals from midfield which alerted United to first make their move.
If United do sign Milinkovic-Savic, it will cast doubt on Paul Pogba's future at the club.
The Frenchman is still being linked with a huge money move to Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid.
