Liverpool 'lining up summer move for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic'

Liverpool are reportedly ready to move for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic during next summer's transfer window.

The 27-year-old's future has been the subject of much speculation over the last couple of years, with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus, said to be interested in his services.

Milinkovic-Savic has again been in strong form for Lazio during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring four goals and registering five assists in 11 appearances in all competitions.

The Serbia international only has two years left to run on his current deal, though, and he could finally switch clubs during next summer's transfer window.

According to Calciomercato, there will be an intense battle for his signature at the end of the season, with Liverpool firmly in the hunt for his signature.

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The report claims that Man United and Chelsea are both keeping an eye on the developments, but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is desperate for his side to secure a deal.

The Merseyside giants are allegedly willing to offer Joe Gomez to Lazio in a bid to lower the price of the Serbian midfielder.

Gomez has made seven appearances for Liverpool during the 2022-23 campaign, but he is down the pecking order at Anfield when Klopp has a full complement of central defenders.

Milinkovic-Savic has scored 62 goals and contributed 57 assists in 305 appearances for Lazio since arriving at the Italian side from Genk in August 2015.

"Milinkovic is not for sale. I turned down €140m (£120m) bid for him [years ago]", Lazio president Claudio Lotito told Rai Sport earlier this year when questioned on the Serbian. "I'd ask Sergej what he wants to do only in case we receive an important proposal from a world-class top club."

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Over the summer, Lotito also insisted that it would take "much more" than £42m to sign Milinkovic-Savic amid claims that Spurs wanted to secure his signature for around that figure.

"Milinkovic for €50m (£42.3m)? At that amount, I don't sell him, he is worth much more," Lotito told Il Messagero. "Our market is thus complete and finished."

Liverpool boosted their midfield over the summer with the arrival of Arthur late in the window, but the Brazilian has only played 13 minutes of football for the club.

The midfielder has been an unused substitute in the team's last two league games against Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion, while he was not in the squad against Rangers in the Champions League last time out.

Liverpool will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they head to an in-form Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.