Transfer Centre

Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic 'agrees to join Juventus'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 23 November 2022

Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic reportedly reaches a pre-contract agreement with Juventus to join the Serie A giants next summer.

Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly reached a pre-contract agreement with Juventus to join the Serie A giants next summer.

The 27-year-old, who has spent the last seven years with the Aquilotti, has been strongly linked with a move away from the Italian capital amid interest from a host of top European clubs.

Premier League trio Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the attacking midfielder, as have Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Italian transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla claims that Juventus have won the race for Milinkovic-Savic's signature, with the player agreeing terms to join the club ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Pedulla adds that Milinkovic-Savic and his agent Mateja Kezman held been in talks with Juve chiefs for several months and the Serbia international has now agreed to sign a long-term contract worth around £5m per season.

Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates after the match with Roma on September 26, 2021 © Reuters

Milinkovic-Savic has allegedly been willing to sign a contract extension with Lazio, but the midfielder is insisting that a release clause between €40m (£33m) and €50m (£43m) is to be included in a new deal, which the Italian club refuse to accept.

The former Genk midfielder will see his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico expire in June 2024, and his proposed switch to Turin will now depend on whether Lazio are prepared to enter negotiations over his sale.

Last month, Lazio president Claudio Lotito denied that they have agreed to sell the midfielder and insisted that he is not for sale.

"I have no agreement with Mateja Kezman to sell him to Juve or anyone else in the winter," Lotito told Il Messaggero.

"On the contrary, he is now worth €‎120m (£105m), no longer €‎100m (£87.5m). The price goes up every month."

Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic pictured in December 2020 © Reuters

Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as one of the stars of Serie A in recent years and has been an influential figure at Lazio, featuring in 314 games across all competitions.

During that time, the midfielder has scored 63 goals and provided 58 assists, including five goals and seven assists in 20 appearances so far this season.

The potential arrival of Milinkovic-Savic at Juventus could pave the way for Adrien Rabiot to seek pastures new, with the Frenchman allegedly attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea.

Milinkovic-Savic is currently away on international duty with Serbia for the 2022 World Cup, and the 36-cap midfielder will be hoping to start in their opening fixture against Brazil on Thursday.