Lazio are preparing for a busy summer, where their plans will mostly hinge on the future of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but they have already earmarked a potential heir in Charles De Ketelaere. The Biancocelesti are likely to move forward with both Igli Tare and Maurizio Sarri despite the tension between the two, La Repubblica informs.
The Serbian ace is under contract until 2024. The coach will accept his sale if it leads to multiple additions, the publication adds. At this stage, Manchester United and PSG are the leading candidates to sign him. Real Madrid might not purchase a midfielder in the summer and appears keener on Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni. The Red Devils could lose Paul Pogba and are also after Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham. The French club will likely undergo a substantial overhaul, and director Leonardo is probably on his way out.
Lazio have already done extensive work on De Ketelaere. He regularly plays as a no.10 or as a forward. However, the Biancocelesti believe he could easily turn into a box-to-box given his physique. Milinkovic-Savic underwent the same process when he joined. The 21-year-old Belgian international has notched 17 goals and 9 assists in 41 appearances this season.
President Claudio Lotito asks for €100M to part ways with his star. However, he could settle for €80M down the line, the outlet relays. Lazio would reinvest part of the sum on De Ketelaere, whose price tag is around €25M. They will have to beat the competition to acquire the prodigy, especially Bayern Munich.