Manchester United are considering a move to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as the club look to bring in midfield additions before the closure of the transfer window.
Milinkovic-Savic has long been linked with a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs and United are prepared to test Lazio’s resolve to hold onto the Serbia international.
The Italian side do not want to sell the midfielder, who has two years remaining on his contract at Lazio and is valued in the region of €60m (£50m).
According to the Telegraph talks are at an early stage for Milinkovic-Savic, who can operate in a number of midfield roles. He scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in Serie A for Lazio last season, with only Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi having also registered double figures on both metrics in Italy’s top division.
United are under pressure to bring in new signings following an opening weekend defeat to Brighton, with a lengthy pursuit of Frenkie de Jong having failed to advance as hoped.
The Red Devils agreed a fee in the region of £63m for the Barcelona midfielder in July, but doubts over De Jong’s desire to move to Old Trafford have seen the deal stall.
Alternatives are now being considered with a fee having also been agreed for Adrien Rabiot, who will discuss personal terms ahead of a £15m move from Juventus.
United are also expected to submit a new offer for Marko Arnautovic, having seen an initial bid of €8.5m (£7.3m) turned down by Bologna. The 33-year-old forward scored 14 league goals last season and is keen on a return to the Premier League after spells at West Ham and Stoke.
