Lazio have been handed a major blow after main midfield talisman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic reportedly turned down a contract renewal offer. As per Il Messaggero (via LazioNews24), the Serbian is disinterested in staying put with the Biancocelesti after rejecting a one-year extension proposed by the club on top of his current deal that expires in 2024.
The club management put forward the proposal keeping in mind the opportunity to better evaluate offers for their ace. However, that seems to be out of the picture as Milinkovic-Savic looks keen on experiencing a different playing environment, having spent seven years with Lazio.
Arsenal have reportedly inquired regarding his availability and so have Newcastle United, but it is understood that he does not wish to accept ‘downward proposals,’ as per Corriere dello Sport. Moreover, links with Manchester United have not died down since last summer.
Lazio: Sergej Milinkovic Savic e il futuro in sospeso #lazio https://t.co/PSAjJpHNXk
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) June 13, 2022
But no offers have arrived Lazio’s way yet for their most valuable player, who is accounted at €70M, according to transfermarkt. He experienced a great previous season at the Biancocelesti, scoring 11 goals and racking 12 assists in 42 appearances in 2021/22. Milinkovic-Savic has 58 goals in 294 caps for Lazio.